Background
Methods
Study design, setting and selection of participants
Research methods used: a detailed description
Semi-structured expert interviews
Focus group discussions
System usability scale
Results
Sample
Expert interviews | Focus group discussion and SUS | |
---|---|---|
Sample (n) | n = 23/27 (excluded: n = 1; reason: defective recording) | n = 17/27 (excluded: n = 1; reason: missing data) |
Groups of professionals | GPs: n = 9/11 Pharmacists: n = 3/4 Nurses: n = 11/12 | GPs: n = 6/11 Pharmacists: n = 2/4 Nurses: n = 9/12 |
Gender | Men = 4; Women = 19 | Men = 3; Women = 14 |
Results relative to intervention component
Drug therapy safety training
You just think a little more... Through that, you’re just a little more conscious and think even more about it – observe, perhaps, even more closely. (ID22)Medication interactions are already, let’s say not new to me, but, still, they’ve come to my awareness again, so that I have been paying more attention to them again. (ID20)
The SiMbA training was useful to me in so far as the communication with the individual groups was possible: so, with the SiMbA team (. . .) and, then, with the nursing staff, with the pharmacy, and, of course, among the colleagues as well. Of course, this also made it possible to experience this network. (ID13)Well, it was pleasant for me because you can do it [note: online training] when you have time and not only when you have the meeting. (ID2)
Interactive communication and documentation tool SiM-Pl
. . . the platform – the program is great, yes! Well, it’s clear, it’s fast, you have everything at hand . . . even if there’s a problem on Friday afternoon, and I prescribe something, then, I can enter it online as well. And just for (. . .) security. Because (. . .), if you only pass something on over the phone, it can lead to (. . .) misinformation as well. You can also discuss something over the phone in advance and, then, record it in writing. (ID11)As I said, for me, it’s simply a more compact way of working, because I don’t have to work through it in several phases, but I can do it with a mouse click on one thing . . . So, in terms of work and time, it is certainly optimal. It’s certainly a time saver . . . I don’t think the system is bad in itself, because, if I get there as a substitute doctor, for example, it’s just there to take and consult. (ID22)
. . . for the younger ones, the tablet [note: iPad] is a bit of an incentive. Yes, they just like to work on them; that’s kind of fun for them, yes. How to appeal to the older generation? What kind of incentive should there be? I don’t know. It’s all a time factor, of course. They say, well, I’m three times faster on the computer; we don’t have much time anyway. Some of them just don’t want to deal with it. And I think you have to accept that somehow, it’s not for everyone. (ID4)
Well, I think if the GP really answer[s] directly to these inquiries, . . . if he sees in the surgery/practice that there is a message and, then, also answers it, then, that is, of course, a big help, because, then, we get our problems solved promptly, and he immediately enters it in the nursing documentation, and I have a prescription without needing a fax or anything else. And he can write what is prescribed directly into our system. If he’s nice, he’ll enter the medication right away, and, then, I’ve actually provided legal security for all-round care! Then, of course, that is also the ideal. (ID7)I say it’s useful, definitely. I’ve looked in a few times, not so often; it’s a bit complicated. You’d still have to (. . .). I’m not a computer specialist, and I don’t know how to simplify it. But it’s almost [like] a personal exchange is easier. (ID18)
. . . the reduction of medication and the improved quality of life for the residents. And, at the bottom line, by way of the medicine reduction also, a cost reduction for the healthcare system . . . I think, on the one hand, the cost factor, and, on the other hand, . . . for us, the security as well. That we simply know, we produce fewer interactions, produce fewer side effects, and comes cheaper. (ID11)
Drug therapy check process
A positive influence, I find, yes. I found it very positive how the feedback from the pharmacist and also the feedback from the nursing staff... made work much easier for us doctors. (ID5)
And trust is simply strengthened. And that you are not seen as an opponent if you say: "Take a look at the medication" or: "Is that okay?". There has been more teamwork and you no longer see them [note: other professions] as an enemy. In the beginning, when the pharmacy said something to the doctors, the doctors said, "We already know!" and that's actually gone now. Well, those who are on board [note: take part in SiMbA], they work well together (…) You no longer see them [note: other professions] as an opponent, but as a partner. (ID17)That you promote awareness, in general, that everyone is aware of it (. . .), all professional groups - that you work together. . . The project, yes, was very positive for me. And it simply increases awareness, I think . . . all this monitoring, that you check it more often. (ID10)
. . . The advantage for the nurses is that they have, simply because of the fact that it is written down, that it is recorded correctly, more security. . . if you make a phone call, you have to hope that it has actually arrived correctly. If I write down, for them, that I would like to have this dosage with that dosage modality, then it’s just safer and just a better support. (ID11)
Conditions for the successful implementation of the three-part intervention
What motivated me? Well, the interest [in the topic] and also the possibility to improve something. Now, of course, the cooperation with the pharmacy and also with the nursing home, and also to improve the medication. (ID18)Yes, certainly, because it started well, and because I also got a lot of information out of it and benefited from it on the road. (ID11)
I believe this is an attitude that is simply part of the profession. That is acceptance; that is renewal and also a good development. And I believe that they are already using these resources because it’s actually a relief for everyone involved. (ID17)
. . . how important it is that the three fields work together and that an exchange takes place and that everyone takes each other seriously . . . So, I think that this level has certainly changed! (ID7)
. . . the commitment and that everything was always very, well, just very well cared for. If there were problems somewhere, then it was worked on superfast. Yes, as I said, I think the direction is right . . .. So, the study certainly worked well. (ID3)