Knowledge, Perceptions, and Readiness of Tele pharmacy in the out-patient clinics setting through Pharmacists in Makkah Al-Mukarramah at Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Over the past 20 years, owing to rapid advances in technological innovation, namely in telecommunication and telemedicine, healthcare institutions have integrated clinical practices with cutting-edge telecommunication technology to enhance access to patient care, improve continuity of clinical care, and ensure patient safety.  Pharmacists providing care in the out-patient clinics setting through telemedicine models.  Pharmacy services were found to be essential in establishing outcome-oriented pharmacist-led medication management for patients. The established telemedication management clinic (MMC) services enhanced patient engagement and treatment compliance, and the integration process and its challenges were assessed.  the pharmacist-led MMC services were beneficial to chronic disease patients and ensured the continuity of care, maintenance of up-to-date lab tests, management of polypharmacy, minimization of the use of unwanted medications and medication synchronization. Aim of the study: To Assessment of Knowledge, Perceptions, and Readiness of Tele pharmacy in the out-patient clinics setting through Pharmacists in Makah Al-Mukarramah at Saudi Arabia in 2022. Method: cross sectional study conducted at outpatient clinics in Al-Aklas primary health care center in Makah Al-Mukarramah Saudi Arabia in Sample population consists of Saudi out patients aged 20 to over than 60 years attending. Our total participants were (200). Results:  Regarding the age majority of the study groups were in the age range of (20 - 40%) years were (37.0%) followed by (40-60) years were(33.0%), regarding the gender many of the respondents were male (58.0 %) while female were (42.0%).  Regarding the education status, the majority of the respondents had Primary were (32.0%) ,  while Occupation the most of  the participants  answer Yes were (75.0%). Regarding the income The majority of them had an income from less than 3000SR were (31.0% ) .Conclusion: pharmacists providing care in the out-patient clinics setting through telemedicine models , based on pharmacist-led medication management services. The implementation of this model demonstrated a significant improvement in the clinical outcomes of patients and might help to improve the overall satisfaction during and after the peak pandemic period. The integration of the telehealth framework with a pharmacist-led medication management clinic was associated with promising outcomes in the access.