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Język Polski
E-prescription and digital exclusion – about the need to construct legal solutions
Abstract
Research objective: Presenting prospects to use the functionality of e-prescriptions in Poland in the view of social, demographic, and technical conditions and suggesting necessary changes in this regard.
The research problem and methods: In order to examine if e-prescriptions, in the light of legal and social conditions, can bring additional benefits compared to paper prescriptions, statistical data and legal regulations were analysed with the use of logical-linguistic method.
The process of argumentation: Following the level of e-exclusion as a starting point, the progressive digitisation and the aging of societies were described, with particular emphasis on seniors. The functioning of IKP (Internet Patient Account) and e-prescription was characterised, suggesting necessary changes so that the functionality of the e-prescription would not be depended on the level of digital competence of the beneficiaries.
Research results: Among seniors in Poland, digital exclusion amounts to almost 57%. The percentage of those with an active IKP (Internet Patient Account) application is small, particularly among the elderly. Hence, an e-prescription comes down for most patients to having information about the e-prescription printed out or receiving a 4-digit code.
Conclusions, innovations, and recommendations: Considering the high level of e-exclusion, emerging mainly in the elderly population, it is essential to implement, combined with digital solutions, legal solutions permitting the full use of health services also by people who do not use modern technologies. One such solution could be to introduce requirement to label all drugs dispensed by the pharmacy, so that also e-excluded persons could have access to the same information about the prescription and the drug that an active IKP (Internet Patient Account) user finds on his or her account.
Keywords
e-prescription, Internet Patient Account (IKP), digital exclusion, Internet, elderly
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