Physicians' Perceptions of Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Medications in The West Bank of Palestine: A Pre-implementation Assessment رسالة ماجستير

Abstract

Background: In Palestine, the prescription of controlled drugs is still done on paper. Despite valuable attempts to regulate them, there is a high risk of undetected abuse and doctor shopping. These problems can be addressed with the introduction of electronic prescribing of controlled medications (EPCM). User acceptance is an important prerequisite for the successful adoption of any technology. Therefore, it is crucial to determine the attitude of prescribing physicians towards the introduction of EPCM at an early stage. This issue has never been addressed in Palestine. Without it, an implementation project carries a significant risk of failure. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among Palestinian physicians in the West Bank who currently or previously prescribed controlled medications. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire based on the Unified Theory of User Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) from a convenience sample of 300 physicians. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Bivariate analysis and binary and multivariate logistic regression were performed to identify factors associated with physicians' perceptions of ECPM. Results: The majority of physicians indicated that they were willing to use EPCM, with an acceptance rate of 85%. This perception was found to be significantly affected by performance expectancy, effort expectancy and trust. None was moderated by age, gender, or experience with electronic prescribing. Age and level of specialization were also found to be independent factors significantly influencing the intention to use EPCM. The level of current prescribing difficulty did not correlate with the intention to use EPCM. VI Conclusion: EPCM seems to be well accepted by Palestinian physicians. Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that the following be considered: ensuring maximum efficiency of the system, selecting user interfaces that are straightforward and easy to use, and the best protection mechanisms to prevent system breaches. All of these aspects are critical to improving physicians' perceptions of EPCM.