Tele-pharmacy perception, knowledge and associated factors among pharmacy students in northwest Ethiopia: an input for implementers

BMC Medical Education

Research

Hiwote Simane Dessie¹  Mequannent Sharew Melaku²  Sisay Maru Wubante²  Tirualem Zeleke²  Ashenafi Fentahun²  Masresha Derese Tegegne²  WondwossenZemene²  Nebyu Demeke Mengiste²  Addisalem Workie Demsash³  Agmasie Damtew Walle³  Yonas Tsegaw Tareke⁴  Mubarek Suleman Abdi⁵  Hawariyat Mamuye Alemayehu⁶  Eskedar Menkir Girma⁷  GizawGetye Tilahun⁸  Getnet Tadesse Lakew⁹ 

[1] Departement of Health Informatics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wachemo University, Hossana, Ethiopia;Department of Health Informatics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia;Department of Health Informatics, Institute of Public Health, Mettu University, Mettu, Ethiopia;Health Management Information System Unit, Amhara Public Health Institution, Dessie, Ethiopia;Health Management Information System Unit, Asossa Zonel Health Department, Benishangul-Gumuz, Ethiopia;Health Management Information System Unit, Debark General Hospital, Debark, Ethiopia;Health Management Information System Unit, Debremarkos Hospital, Debre Markos, Ethiopia;Health Management Information System Unit, Enat Hospital, Debre Birhan, Ethiopia;Health Management Information System Unit, Gazo Woreda Health Office North Wello, Woldia, Ethiopia;

关键词: Ethiopia;    Perception;    Pharmacy students;    Tele-pharmacy;    Knowledge;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12909-023-04111-9

 received in 2022-09-20, accepted in 2023-02-16,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

sBackgroundTele-pharmacy is a subset of telemedicine in which pharmacies use telecommunication technology to provide patient care. Tele-pharmacy can improve pharmaceutical care service delivery by reducing medication errors, improving access to health professionals and facilities in remote and rural areas, and minimizing adverse drug events. However, there is limited evidence regarding future pharmacists' knowledge and perceptions of the Tele-pharmacy system in Ethiopia. As a result, this study aimed to assess tele-Pharmacy perception, knowledge and associated factors among pharmacy students in Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsAn institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 376 pharmacy students in Northwest Ethiopia between July 15 and August 27, 2022. A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The data were entered using Epi info version 7.0 and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics, bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to describe pharmacy students' knowledge and perceptions of Tele-pharmacy and identify associated factors. An adjusted odds ratio (OR) and a p-value with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to declare statistical significance.ResultsFrom a total of 352 participants, about 32.4% with [95% CI (27%-37%)] and 48.6% with [95% CI (43%—54%)] had good knowledge and a positive perception toward Tele-pharmacy, respectively. Being age group of 26–30 (AOR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.17–0.68), being male (AOR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.26–4.49), Having a CPGA of > 3.5 (AOR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.24–4.19), Taking basic computer training (AOR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.17–3.39), Management support (AOR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.06–3.19) were found to be significantly associated with pharmacy students' knowledge of Tele-pharmacy. Similarly, having access to electronic devices (AOR = 3.80, 95% CI: 1.81–7.97), training related to pharmacy information systems (AOR = 6.66, 95% CI: 3.34–13.29), availability of guidelines (AOR = 2.99, 95% CI: 1.62–5.50) were found to be significantly associated with pharmacy students' perceptions of Tele-pharmacy.ConclusionThis study found that pharmacy students have limited knowledge and perceptions of the Tele-pharmacy system. A continuing Tele-pharmacy training package, incorporating pharmacy information system guidelines as part of their education, and providing managerial support could be recommended to improve pharmacy students' knowledge and perception of Tele-pharmacy.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2023

【 图 表 】

Fig. 5