Sweden's new medication tracking system struggles with doctor adoption
A new web-based tool designed to give Swedish healthcare workers a unified view of patient medications is hindered by poor integration with existing hospital systems and low awareness among staff. The findings suggest that major digital health rollouts risk failure without better coordination with existing infrastructure—a lesson for other countries building similar platforms.
Originaltitel: Healthcare professionals' perceptions of a web-based application for using the new National Medication List in Sweden
<p>ObjectiveDuring the first stage of implementing the National Medication List in Sweden, a web-based application called Forskrivningskollen (FK) was launched. FK includes information about a patient's prescribed and dispensed medications, and it works as a backup system until the healthcare electronic health record (EHR) systems are fully integrated. The aim of this study was to examine the healthcare professionals' experiences and perceptions of FK. MethodsThe study applied a mixed methods approach, with statistics about the use of FK and a survey with open and closed questions. The respondents (n = 288) were healthcare professionals who were users or potential users of FK. ResultsOverall there was little knowledge about FK and uncertainty regarding working routines and the regulations connected to the application. Lack of interoperability with the EHRs made FK time-consuming to use. Respondents said that the information in FK was not updated, and they were concerned that using FK could lead to a false sense of security about the accuracy of the list. Most clinical pharmacists thought FK added benefit to their clinical work, while as a group, physicians were more ambivalent about FK's benefit. ConclusionsThe concerns of healthcare professionals give important insights for future implementation of shared medication lists. Working routines and regulations linked to FK need to be clarified. In Sweden, the potential value of a national shared medication list will probably not be realized until it is fully integrated into the EHR in a way that supports healthcare professionals' desired ways of working.</p>