The Pharmacist Knowledge and Computer Skills Towards E-Health. Results of A Survey among Italian Community Pharmacists
Journal Title: Journal of Bioinformatics And Diabetes - Year 2013, Vol 1, Issue 1
Abstract
Background: Health practitioners of different disciplines (physicians, paramedic personnel, pharmacists) should possess adequate ICT (Information and Communication Technology) skills and practical competence on these technologies. Pharmacy practice requires a relevant flow of information, collection and handling of which could be facilitated by ICT. The correct use of ICT requires a proper knowledge by professionals offering a public service. The purpose of this paper was to assess basic informatics background and computer uses in pharmacists practicing in Italy, with the aim to identify educational interventions for increasing their informatics abilities. Methods: A questionnaire was proposed to pharmacists working in Italian community pharmacies. The survey was articulated into 35 questions concerning computer basic knowledge, ICT facilities, computer skills, habits, and uses in pharmacy practice. Results: The questionnaire was completed by ~45% (No. 224) of responders, the 96.9% of which used computer. Only 7.8% of interviewed people employed e-mail to communicate with health authorities and less than 2% used it to be in contact with physicians or other health professionals. Less than 40% used ICT for training courses. The results revealed a relevant percentage (90.8%) of self-learners to computer use, while only 9.2% was trained by specific courses. Conclusion: Basic knowledge of community pharmacists on ICT technological infrastructure is quite low. Although pharmacists play an essential role in health services, they have apparently limited computer skills. This suggests the need of educational and training efforts for enlarging computer and ICT resources competent use in daily pharmacy practice.
Authors and Affiliations
Iolanda Grappasonni, Seyed Khosrow Tayebati, Fabio Petrelli, Francesco Amenta
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP425787
- DOI 10.14302/issn.2374-9431.jbd-13-330
- Views 118
- Downloads 0
Computational STAT4 rSNP Analysis, Transcriptional Factor Binding Sites and Disease
Purpose Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 4 (STAT4) is important for signaling by interleukins (IL-12 and IL-23) and type 1 interferons and has been found to have several simple nucleotide polymorphisms (S...
Bioinformatic Resources for Diabetic Nephropathy
The number of individuals with diabetes is increasing worldwide and a large subset of those affected will develop diabetic nephropathy. Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease, has serious he...
Efficacy of Focal Photocoagulation to Maintain or Achieve Best Corrected Visual Acuity ≥20/40, in Eyes with Diabetic Macular Edema
Objective: To identify the efficacy of focal photocoagulation to maintain or achieve best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≥20/40 in eyes with clinically significant macular edema (CSME) that had a focal angiographic patt...
Kynurenines and Vitamin B6: Link Between Diabetes and Depression.
The increased association between depression and diabetes mellitus is generally acknowledged. Recent studies suggest that depression leads to diabetes.However, the underlying molecular mechanisms for this association rem...
Bioinformatics of Metabolomics in Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2) is a complex polygenic disorder. DMT2 is a result of insulin resistance and destruction of pancreatic β-cell or dysfunction. Therefore, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, leading to ner...