The evaluation of pharmacy information management systems used in community pharmacies: A sample of İstanbul province

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate current status of Pharmacy Information Management Systems (PIMS) used in community pharmacies. Materials and Methods: 119 pharmacists and 170 pharmacy staff working in the community pharmacies were included in the study. The data were collected by a structured questionnaire in face to face interviews. Factor analyses were performed to examine structural validity in the development of the both Pharmacy Technology Acceptance Model scale and PIMS scale. Items of the Pharmacy TAM were collected in a single model whereas 4 subgroups regarding Patient Safety, Functionality, System Safety and Confidentiality and Usability were occured in PIMS scale. In mediation analysis, PIMS subscale scores were dependent variables, Pharmacy TAM score was analyzed as a possible mediator variable and PIMS score was an indepent variable. Results: In the study group, "Pharmacy Technology Acceptance Model (P-TAM)" score (p=0.007) and PIMS "Patient Safety" (p=0.003), "Functionality" (p=0.001) and "Confidentiality and Usability" subscale scores (p=0.000) were higher than others for those who are good at "skills of using Pharmacy Information Management Systems". Good ability to use PIMS was determined to be associated with both increasing in Functionality subscale score (β:0.1084 p=0.000) and Confidentiality and Usability subscale score (β:0.1812 p=0.0001). In both model, P_TAM scores were observed to be mediators (p<0.05). Conclusions: PIMS skills and Pharmacy TAM levels were determined to be important variables for the increase in "Functionality" and "Confidentiality and Usability" subscale scores for PIMS. Key Words: Pharmacist, pharmacy, utility, safety, privacy