Pharmacists' familiarity, utilization, and beliefs about Health Information Exchange: a survey of pharmacists in an Indiana pharmacy organization.

OBJECTIVE

To gauge pharmacists' familiarity, utilization, and beliefs about Health Information Exchange (HIE).

METHODS

A survey questionnaire was developed by the authors in Qualtrics (Provo, UT) and administered to 358 Indiana Pharmacists Alliance (IPA) members via e-mail listserv in May and August 2013. The questionnaire consisted of 18 questions on familiarity, utilization, and beliefs about HIE.

RESULTS

The response rate was 19% (67/358). Pharmacy practice experience of respondents ranged from 0 to 5 years (18%, n = 12) to more than 20 years (61%, n = 41). More than one-half (70%) of respondents practiced in hospital settings. Many respondents (75%) were familiar with the concept of HIE; 54% currently use some type of HIE technology. Nearly all respondents felt that data in electronic health records (EHRs) should be shared between pharmacists and other health care providers. Respondents identified improved coordination of care as the greatest potential benefit, and difficulty implementing and maintaining technology as the greatest barrier of HIE.

CONCLUSION

Many respondents were familiar with HIE and in favor of sharing patient records between providers. Respondents agreed that HIE has the potential to improve coordination of care but were concerned about implementing and maintaining technology. Larger pharmacy samples should be studied to determine how the results of this study compare to pharmacy populations at state and national levels.