ePrescribing in the US: How Are Non-Physician Prescribers Improving Care
ePrescribing has become a norm in the US healthcare system. Now the expanded role of pharmacists and the integration of non-physician prescribers into the healthcare system signifies a move towards a more accessible healthcare model, potentially alleviating some of the clinician burden.
Despite the progress, there are challenges related to compensation, policy, and technology adaptation, highlighting the need for continued evolution and support in healthcare delivery systems.
Introduction to SureScripts and Medication Prescribing Trends
SureScripts is a health information network in the United States. The network facilitate the exchange of healthcare information across the U.S. to the tune of 22 billion transactions a year. This information could be about a prescription or a patient, including details on their medication history or clinical history.
Most of the country has transitioned to electronic prescribing, significantly reducing the use of paper prescriptions. The last significant change was the electronic prescription of controlled substances. As the population ages and more drugs are prescribed, this trend will likely continue to increase.
The Role of Non-Physician Prescribers
"In all 50 states in the US pharmacists do have the ability to go into collaborative agreements with physicians. Five states in the have legislation in place that allows pharmacists to prescribe medications," said Melanie Marcus and Lynne Nowak, MD, Surescripts in a short interview at HLTH.
"About 50 percent of counties in the country have less than one primary care physician per 1, 500 population. And that's just not enough. In about two-thirds of those, we've got enough pharmacies so that pharmacists could help take some of the burden off the primary care needs," Melanie Marcus said.
Open question prevail - apart from the 5 states, pharmacists don't get paid for prescribing services.
Challenges and Opportunities in Expanding Care
The United States faces a significant issue with provider burnout, and the number of primary care physicians is not enough to meet the population's needs. Pharmacists, by taking on more responsibilities, can help alleviate some of the primary care demands.
There is a great opportunity to fill the healthcare provider shortage by expanding the care team, including pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and other non-physicians. This approach should be about augmenting care, not replacing physicians. The pandemic has demonstrated the potential of expanding capabilities across many non-physician groups, which has helped increase access to care for many patients.
The SureScripts Network and Patient Awareness
Concerning the push towards more pharmacists prescribing, there's a growing acceptance among healthcare professionals. Pharmacists are well-positioned to help close care gaps due to their frontline position and frequent patient interactions. They can provide vaccinations, screenings, and other health services beyond prescribing. However, it's crucial for them to have access to necessary clinical information about patients.
The SureScripts network connects virtually every physician, pharmacy, and payer or pharmacy benefit manager in the U.S. This connectivity allows for efficient information sharing and coordination between different healthcare stakeholders.
How Can Patients Know About Pharmacists Prescribers?
Patients learn about these changes primarily through the marketing efforts of pharmacies and other healthcare providers. SureScripts operates behind the scenes, supporting these entities in their efforts to inform and serve patients.
One of the main challenges from a network perspective is expanding the value delivered across the network while respecting patient privacy and data security. There's potential in reducing administrative burden and provider burnout by expanding data sharing beyond just treatment use cases.
In summary, this transformation is about ensuring patients receive the right care, diagnosis, and medication timely and conveniently. It's about improving access, especially in underserved areas, and smoothing out processes for better healthcare delivery.
Tune in to the full discussion.