Healthcare practitioner use of real-time prescription monitoring tools: an online survey.

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate how healthcare practitioners use real-time prescription monitoring tools in clinical practice. Methods: An online survey was distributed to Australian prescribers and pharmacists who use a real-time prescription monitoring tool. Data were analysed and descriptive statistics summarised participant characteristics and responses. A Chi-squared test was conducted to test the difference between prescribers and pharmacists. Results: The majority of participants agreed that real-time prescription monitoring (RTPM) information is useful (92.2%) and the tool is valuable for informing clinical decisions (90.2%); however, just over half reported that they had changed their prescribing or dispensing practices as a result of RTPM information (51.0%), and they employed evidence-based clinical interventions to varying degrees. No statistically significant differences were detected between pharmacists and prescribers and perceptions on tool use. Conclusions: This is the first known study to investigate practitioner use of RTPM tools in Australia, and is a starting point for further research. What constitutes 'success' in the clinical application of RTPM tools is yet to be realised. What is known about the topic? Real-time prescription monitoring tools have been implemented in most states and territories across Australia to reduce the harms of prescription medication misuse. What does this paper add? This is the first study to explore pharmacists' and prescribers' perspectives on tool use in clinical practice, and the impact of these tools on clinical decision-making and clinical interventions. What are the implications for practitioners? Practitioners can optimise tool use in clinical practice to provide patients with best quality health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]