Journal of the American Pharmacists Association
Science and PracticeAdvances in Pharmacy PracticeOptimizing medication use through a synergistic technology testing process integrating implementation science to drive effectiveness and facilitate scale
Section snippets
A synergistic technology testing process—Overview
Implementation science principles and methods should be integrated with the testing process that occurs throughout the life cycle of a technology, from development and design to commercialization. Figure 1 depicts the combined technology testing process, the STTP, which includes the traditional types of technology testing with the recommended implementation science processes. It also lists the expected benefits associated with this combined approach along the product development life cycle.
Testing a medication therapy problem platform: An applied example
The following example is used to illustrate the application of the proposed STTP. Although this example is not a true case study, it was created by combining experiences from two initiatives at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Eshelman School of Pharmacy. In this instance, an academic team of researchers, clinicians, and HIT employees developed a web-based platform to document and facilitate identification of medication therapy problems (MTPs). The tool was designed for use by clinical
Conclusion
Optimizing medication services requires the development of supportive technologies that have been empirically tested before release. Payers, health care systems, provider organizations, and end users are expecting these HIT solutions to seamlessly integrate with current workflows and produce the desired benefits and outcomes. Although these technologies are typically subjected to traditional technology testing, current research indicates that this approach, though necessary, is not sufficient
Melanie Livet, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Implementation Scientist, Center for Medication Optimization, Division of Practice Advancement and Clinical Education, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
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Melanie Livet, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Implementation Scientist, Center for Medication Optimization, Division of Practice Advancement and Clinical Education, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Jon Easter, BSPharm, Professor of the Practice and Director, Center for Medication Optimization, Division of Practice Advancement and Clinical Education, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Disclosure: Neither author declares any potential conflict of interest.