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

Abstract

Abstracts Background Tele-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. Methods An 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. Results From 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. Conclusion This 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.

Exploring the impact of telepharmacy and digital health at a rural tertiary care teaching hospital: A comprehensive questionnaire based cross-sectional study

“…The study covered a diverse demographic, mainly aged 31-45 years (31%) and 46-60 years (27%), with 73% male and 27% female participants, similar results have been reported in various contexts, indicating the patients' desire to use telepharmacy services [3,4] . Healthcare professionals predominated (68%), with physicians (63%) being the most represented, followed by pharmacists (16%), nurses (14%), and others (7%).…”

Knowledge, perceptions, and readiness of telepharmacy among community pharmacists

“…This may be because females tend to be more receptive to new technologies and are more likely to embrace change. In contrast to that, Tegegne et al reported that being male was found to be significantly associated with knowledge of telepharamcy but the population in their study is pharmacy students, not healthcare professionals ( Tegegne et al, 2023 ). The present study showed also that having a bachelor’s degree was associated with higher knowledge scores.…”

Knowledge, Perception, and Readiness of Indonesian Pharmacists for the Implementation of Telepharmacy-Based Pharmaceutical Services in Indonesia

“…23 But in contrast, the result from Ethiopia reported that being male was also found to be significantly with knowledge of telepharmacy in population of pharmacy students. 24 Based on age, the respondents were dominated by the 26-30 years age category (36.24%), and there was no significant correlation between age and the variables of knowledge, perception, and readiness to carry out pharmaceutical services through telepharmacy. Similar results were shown by research conducted in Saudi Arabia, where the age variable did not show a significant association with the variables of knowledge, perception, and readiness for telepharmacy services.…”

“…This was explained because most university students in the Ethiopian were under the age of 25, and younger students were more active in using information and communication technology. 24 Pharmacists also dominated the respondents who participated in this study as their highest education. No significant association was shown between education and knowledge, perception, and readiness to provide pharmaceutical services…”