From Medication Experts to System Navigators: Exploring Pharmacists’ EHR Challenges and Opportunities

Adopting health information systems (HISs), including electronic health records (EHRs), has transformed clinical workflows, but their impact on pharmacists still needs to be explored. This study examines clinical pharmacists' experiences with EHRs, focusing on challenges and facilitators in managing electronic medication orders. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six clinical pharmacists at a large Swedish University Hospital. Thematic analysis identified three challenges: navigating intricate medication orders, suboptimal decision support features, and issues arising from disjointed information systems. Facilitators encompass enhanced collaboration with physicians, safety-enhancing features, and expanded system permissions, enabling clinical pharmacists to take on broader responsibilities. While HISs support pharmacists in safe medication use, usability issues remain. The findings highlight the need to consider pharmacists' perspectives on EHR optimisation and usability.