Exploring Australian pharmacists' experiences with the electronic National Residential Medication Chart: a qualitative descriptive study

BackgroundIn Australia, the electronic National Residential Medication Chart (eNRMC) aims to enhance medication safety, reduce administrative burden, and communication in aged care facilities. However, research on its implementation is limited, with minimal pharmacist involvement, despite their critical role in medication management. It is essential to address the underrepresentation to optimise their experience with the eNRMC.AimThis study aimed to explore the experiences of pharmacists who have used the (eNRMC) while providing care to residential aged care facilities.MethodA qualitative descriptive study design was employed, with thematic analysis conducted using The Framework Method. Pharmacists with experience using the eNRMC were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling and were invited to participate in semi-structured individual interviews in August 2024. Interviews were audio-visually recorded, transcribed using clean verbatim and analysed with NVivo software. An inductive coding approach was used to generate themes.ResultsTwelve participants across Australia with varying levels of experience consented and completed semi-structured interviews. Three main themes were identified: (1) Improvements in Medication Management, (2) Limitations of the eNRMC Software, and (3) the Facility's Transition to eNRMC Software. Pharmacists reported enhanced medication safety, workflow, and communication. However, eNRMC incompatibilities, restricted editing and increased workloads were challenges during implementation. Additionally inadequate training and resistance from general practitioners contributed to charting errors and medication incidents.ConclusionPharmacists from various roles described the eNRMC as beneficial for enhancing medication management, but software limitations and lack of support remain barriers that increased frustrations amongst users and impede adoption.