The role of the chief pharmacy officer in leading analytics strategy to support the enterprise

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-23-2024

Publication Title

American journal of health-system pharmacy

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate pharmacists' perceptions of the benefits of and barriers to telehealth as experienced in actual telehealth visits with patients.

METHODS: This qualitative study used virtual focus groups and a validated questionnaire (the Health Optimum Telemedicine Acceptance [HOTA] survey) to assess telehealth facilitators and barriers. Participants were included if they were licensed pharmacists utilizing telehealth in the outpatient setting. Pharmacist focus group responses were transcribed and analyzed using Miles and Huberman's qualitative data analysis model.

RESULTS: Six pharmacists participated in this study. Their responses were placed into 2 categories: clinical effectiveness and patient experience. All participants had performed at least 20 virtual visits, and all agreed that telehealth improved patients' health status. Respondents agreed that telehealth results in more frequent patient interactions and allows for provision of multiple types of care virtually. However, technological difficulties and the inability to provide physical examinations and obtain laboratory values were identified limitations. The surveyed pharmacists agreed that the main benefit that patients gained from telehealth was the elimination of transportation concerns, allowing increased access to care. However, pharmacists voiced their concern for patient privacy and barriers to educating patients on proper use of medical devices.

CONCLUSION: Pharmacists felt that telehealth was useful in several clinical scenarios. However, they also identified opportunities to improve its development in clinical practice. Further investigation must be done to better grasp impediments to telehealth in order to provide the most effective patient care.

Medical Subject Headings

Humans; Pharmacy Service, Hospital; Professional Role; Pharmacists; Leadership

PubMed ID

38469877

ePublication

ePub ahead of print

Volume

81

Issue

19

First Page

648

Last Page

648

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