Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part B (2024)

Introduction: Telemedicine and telepharmacy bring valuable improvements in healthcare accessibility, convenience, and cost-efficiency. Overcoming technology access, regulatory, and data security hurdles is crucial for maximizing their impact. Integrating these solutions into healthcare systems holds promise for future care delivery enhancement.
Objectives: Assess the impact of telepharmacy on medication adherence and patient outcomes. Evaluate healthcare professional and patient perceptions of telepharmacy services. Identify challenges and opportunities in implementing digital health solutions in pharmacology.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study at a Rural Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital involved 200 participants (65 patients and 135 healthcare professionals). The questionnaire covered demographics, the impact of telepharmacy on medication adherence and patient outcomes, perceptions of telepharmacy services, and challenges and opportunities in digital health solutions.
Results: The study included a diverse demographic, mostly 31-45 years old (31%) and 46-60 years old (27%), with 73% male and 27% female participants. Healthcare professionals, mainly physicians (63%), comprised 68% of participants. Both patients (54%) and professionals (51%) reported improved medication adherence and health outcomes with telepharmacy. Satisfaction levels were high (62% patients, 29% professionals), citing convenience and improved access. Challenges included digital literacy (36%) and technical issues (26%), while opportunities included better medication management (38%) and patient engagement (13%). Support needed includes training (34%) and improved digital infrastructure (25%).
Conclusion: Telepharmacy and digital health solutions promise to enhance medication management and patient care. This study highlights the importance of addressing challenges and seizing opportunities to optimize healthcare delivery through telepharmacy. Further research and policy development are essential for maximizing the potential of these technologies in pharmacology.