Digitalization in community pharmacy

I work as a pharmacist in a pharmacy. When I graduated, there were still some paper prescriptions in use, but the prescriptions started to be electronic prescriptions. E-prescriptions are so much faster to process, so that has been one of the biggest changes. E-prescriptions save time and reduce the risk of errors. Still paper prescriptions can be used in certain situations. For example, animals do not yet have a comprehensive national electronic register and database of health data, so that’s why their prescriptions are still paper prescriptions. Another big step in digital services in pharmacy was the introduction of cross-border prescriptions. It allows you to buy medicines with an electronic prescription from pharmacies in other European countries.

Digitalization has improved work efficiency, at least in some ways. For instance, we get up-to-date customer information directly from Kela electronically. So, because the exchange of information is done quickly electronically, it saves time for the pharmacy, Kela and customers. We don’t yet have the same electronic exchange of information with the social services. So, there are still lots of improvements to do with the operating systems and digital services. Also, all customer/patient information should be on the same database nationally. That would help the professionals to find the relevant information more quickly. When Apotti was deployed, it made it difficult for doctors to write prescriptions, as well as pharmacists were unable to dispense prescriptions. Then the messes had to be sorted out over the phone, and it took unnecessary working time and customer’s time. The operating systems need more testing before they are deployed.

The impact of digitalization on work and life in the future

Services are becoming more digital. It affects the job descriptions of many employees and requires resources from the employer to train employees. Training is important for the employee to be able to do their job effectively. Dysfunctional systems also affect the meaningfulness of work. Although digitalization offers many opportunities, it also has challenges. For example, many people need guidance on how to use digital services, not everyone has smart devices yet, which means that inequality may increase. In addition, digitalization reduces social interaction, which can increase loneliness and social exclusion. In addition, the natural flow of information may decrease. People often exchange ideas in spontaneous interactions, which can lead to new innovations.

GDRP & the risks and benefits of open digital society

Data protection is an important part of my daily work. Pharmacies are obliged to comply with the GDPR because they process personal data. Information security and data protection training has been increased in recent years, and the importance of data protection has been highlighted more. Daily customers cause problems with data protection compliance. Some people think that they should get their medication by saying only their name and they think they should get all their neighbor’s medicines too just by knowing their social security number. So, I don’t think that everyone understands the meaning of data protection.  

I think the GDPR in general is important because it tells people that there are specific limits to what data can be collected about them, how the data is processed and stored. GDRP protects a person’s privacy and rights. Dealing with GDPR increases the workload for companies, but the positive thing is that it tells people that their data is protected.

Even though I know the general principles of data protection, it is sometimes difficult when in many places on the internet you have to give consent to comply with certain regulations and rules. Often these texts, what you have to accept, are so long that there is no time to read them all. Then afterwards you are thinking about what you have agreed to. So, I’m worried about accepting consents in a hurry, when there’s not always time to look into everything. I’m sure this is exactly what many scammers take advantage of, when people accept things in a hurry. But, if a company complies with GDPR, it tells me that my data protection is taken care of.

General examples of the benefits (+) and negative (-) effects of open digital society:

+ more information available in many situations

+ more choices available (for example when you what to buy something)

+ more connection worldwide (easier to communicate across the world, job opportunities)

+ improvements in healthcare (faster consultation and access to information)

– data breaches, identity theft

– how to recognize misinformation and disinformation

– digital inequality

– lots of improvements to do concerning preventing data misuse and increasing security

– reduction of face-to-face interactions (loneliness, loss of social skills)

Chat GBT

I asked why pharmacists need to check prescriptions and the artificial intelligence was able to answer completely correctly and comprehensively. There was nothing to criticize in the first answer, I was actually impressed by the answer. Next, I asked why pharmacists are an important part of health care and the answer was again very comprehensive and realistic. The last question was could pharmacist work in assessing the need for treatment, for example, at the reception of a healthcare center. I was surprised again by the comprehensiveness of the answer. I would not have been able to explain things so extensively. I even got new information about the subject. The only thing the artificial intelligence did not directly know, is that pharmacists are already working in healthcare centers and hospitals in Finland. So, the answer was incomplete regarding that.

I have been using artificial intelligence a little bit more lately. Often the answers are really comprehensive, and it also gives you a lot of new information about things (can you always trust the answer?). Sometimes you need to specify the questions further or ask follow-up questions if you want precise answers. I think AI has been useful and it saves time. So, there might be potential to utilize it at working life and make work more efficient. However, you must be able to be critical of the answers. I have noticed some errors with the answers. For the brain to remain active, people must also think about things themselves. Artificial intelligence can’t do all the brain work for humans.

Self-assessment

I was able to look at the digital changes in my own field over the years, and it allowed me to notice how working has become more efficient with digital development. The functionality of operating systems still needs improvement. It’s important that everyone comply with data protection and information security issues. People should also think more carefully what things they want to share about themselves publicly. There should be more thinking before doing. Digitalization should be accessible to everyone. It should not increase inequality. Although AI is highly intelligent and informative, it cannot completely replace social interaction between humans. Although I know the basics of data protection compliance, it is so important area that I need to learn more about.

The videos were interesting and educational. Many of them had interesting technological visions that could potentially exist in the future. There was also a lot of discussion about how much information is available today. And the protection of people’s privacy was also discussed.

Vision from 2011 what your day would look like in 2020: I think we are little bit behind from the development. For example, we don’t yet have those large-pane display glasses. I think the orientation materials provided additional information and covered the topics of this section well.

I commented on:

DIGI SOCIETY
Digi Society