Pharmacists' perceptions on real-time prescription monitoring (RTPM) systems - a cross-sectional survey

Ziyue Zhang; Lin Guo; Ran Si; Leanne Chalmers; Patricia Filippin; Jane Carpenter; Petra Czarniak

doi:10.1016/j.rcsop.2022.100122

Pharmacists' perceptions on real-time prescription monitoring (RTPM) systems - a cross-sectional survey

Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm. 2022 Mar 2:5:100122. doi: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2022.100122. eCollection 2022 Mar.

Authors

Ziyue Zhang¹, Lin Guo¹, Ran Si¹, Leanne Chalmers¹, Patricia Filippin², Jane Carpenter², Petra Czarniak¹

Affiliations

¹ Curtin Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia.
² Department of Health, Medicines and Poisons Regulation Branch, Royal Street, East Perth, Western Australia 6004, Australia.

Abstract

Background: Real-time prescription monitoring (RTPM) systems are an effective tool to help health practitioners monitor opioid use and reduce opioid-related harm but little has been reported about the support required by pharmacists to engage with them effectively in practice.

Objective: To evaluate the current understanding and perceptions of Western Australian pharmacists regarding RTPM systems and opioid-related harm, and investigate their self-reported training and support requirements prior to RTPM system implementation.

Methods: This cross-sectional, prospective study involved an online Qualtrics survey distributed to Western Australian community or hospital pharmacists involved in dispensing and patient-centred roles via local professional pharmacy newsletters and social media. Data collection included demographic information, responses to authentic case scenarios and Likert-scale questions regarding perceptions and training requirements of a RTPM system, pain management and opioid-related harm. Descriptive analysis was utilised.

Result: Sixty-two pharmacists responded to the questionnaire. Most (58/61; 95.1%) had a positive attitude towards RTPM systems, but only 33/61 (54.1%) reported being prepared for its implementation. Perceived barriers to successful implementation included lack of remuneration (46/60; 76.6%), conflict with prescribers (40/60; 66.7%), increased workload (37/60; 61.7%), staff safety concerns (34/60; 56.7%) and lack of knowledge regarding RTPM systems (32/60; 53.3%). Even though most participants were satisfied with training previously received, over 90% reported requiring further training and education, especially regarding RTPM systems (51/57; 96.2%) and opioid-related harm (56/57; 98.2%).

Conclusion: Among a small sample of participants, there was a strong positivity regarding the value of RTPM systems and a high degree of receptiveness to further training in preparation for RTPM implementation.

Keywords: Non-cancer chronic pain; Opioid-related harm; Pain management; Pharmacist; Prescription drug monitoring; Real-time prescription monitoring.