A qualitative evaluation of a prescribing e-learning package for general practice

Background The GMC PRACtiCe study identified a 1 in 20 error rate in prescriptions issued in general practice and identified a need for further training in prescribing. As a result, an e-Learning prescribing package was designed and launched to healthcare professionals through the Royal College of General Practitioners in January 2014.

Aim This part of the study explored the longer-term impact on prescribing knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of practitioners completing the eLearning prescribing package.

Method On completion of the e-Learning package, participants were asked to indicate their willingness to be contacted for a telephone interview. Semi-structured interviews were conducted which were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis, aided by NVivo. Interviewees were invited to enter a prize draw to win Stockley’s Drug Interaction textbook (provided courtesy of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society).

Results Of the 120 participants who expressed an interest in being followed up for interview, seven prescribers were interviewed in 2014 and 2015. Reasons for completing the course were explored, and interviewees gave examples of changes made to their prescribing practice as a result of completing the e-Learning. This included the adoption of specific strategies to enhance safe practice, and enacting enhanced vigilance in key areas such as renal function monitoring. Some changes to the course content and presentation were also recommended.

Conclusion These interviews have highlighted the potential for using e-Learning for prescribing training and to achieve long-term changes in prescribing practice. However, further work is needed to generate substantive evidence of its impact on prescribing.