Implementation of electronic distribution of Direct Healthcare Professional Communications by the Danish Medicines Agency: a survey study of physicians' experiences and preferences.

BACKGROUND

The efficient distribution of Direct Healthcare Professional Communications (DHPCs) is crucial for ensuring healthcare providers promptly receive important new safety information.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of the electronic distribution of DHPCs by the Danish Medicines Agency (DKMA) and to assess how future safety communication can be improved.

DESIGN

We conducted a web-based cross-sectional survey among Danish physicians using a self-administered questionnaire.

METHODS

DKMA sends DHPCs to healthcare professionals via an electronic mailbox called e-Boks which is linked to the unique personal identifier. To evaluate DKMA's distribution of DHPCs, participants were asked about awareness, frequency and barriers of reading, preferred distribution channel and overall satisfaction. To further identify potential improvements, respondents were asked about general preferences regarding sender and channels of safety information in addition to which information sources they use to keep up-to-date.

RESULTS

A total of 2238 physicians completed the survey corresponding to a response rate of 26% based on the total target population. The total awareness was 81%. Compared to previous research, awareness of GPs increased from 66% to 82%, and the percentage of GPs who rarely or never read DHPCs decreased from 33% to 20%. In addition, our study revealed a preference for receiving DHPCs electronically through e-Boks as opposed to workplace-delivered postal letters, and a preference for the DKMA over pharmaceutical companies as the sender of DHPCs. One-third of the respondents were either 'dissatisfied' or 'very dissatisfied' with the current solution. A professional mailbox and point-of-care alerts when prescribing may complement the primary distribution channel to strengthen the uptake. Additionally, existing information sources already frequented by the target group may be used to communicate safety information.

CONCLUSION

The DKMA's electronic distribution of DHPCs suggests an improvement and may serve as inspiration for other agencies. However, the considerable dissatisfaction calls for further improvements.