From policy towards pharmacy practice: a review of the intended use of ehealth in pharmacy in Scotland.

Background Policy-driven ehealth underpins the delivery of healthcare in which pharmacy practice plays an increasingly integral role. As health is a devolved matter within the UK, responsibility for policy development and service delivery lies with the parliament of each of the home nations. Aim The aim of this research was to describe the policy-driven intended use of ehealth as the landscape of pharmacy practice evolves in Scotland. Methods A content analysis of current policy and strategy documents was conducted. A framework approach was applied (transcribing, familiarising, coding, developing/applying analytical framework, mapping data to the framework, interpreting patterns across and within constructs) from which a conceptual model of the intended use of technology in pharmacy was developed along with this explanatory narrative. Results Four key documents were identified for inclusion with a subsequent policy refresh incorporated. Key constructs were identified with associated sub-themes inducted from the data: Patient care: safety, partnership, integration, resources; Education and training: fit-for-future needs, multidisciplinary, delivery mode; Information governance: systems, staff; Implementation: accessibility, interoperability, support for role development. Conclusions The policy-driven strategy for ehealth in pharmacy practice in Scotland values the pharmacy team and promotes their role in multidisciplinary healthcare delivery. The clearly described intention is to facilitate and develop the patient-facing clinical role of the pharmacist and more integrated role of pharmacy in Scotland. This integrated role for pharmacy practice within the healthcare team, based on a secure, shared EHR, is a 2020 target for Scotland moving policy towards pharmacy practice