Organised by the FIP Regulators Advisory Group in collaboration with the FIP Technology Advisory Group, the FIP Ethics Advisory Group & the FIP Community Pharmacy Section
Chair(s)
Ms Raquel Martínez, FIP Vice President, Spain & Mr Brett Simmonds, Chair FIP Regulators Advisory Group, Australia
Introduction:
More than three quarters of healthcare leaders report delays in care delivery as an issue. As pressure builds on our health workforce it is not just access to care but quality of care that is at risk. Digital healthcare can extend the reach of patient care, and medication management is one of the top three areas in which global healthcare organisations are planning AI initiatives.
Consumers are rapidly adopting new technologies, with convenience being a key decision point. Digital health tools are becoming ubiquitous, but quality is variable. What competencies do you as a pharmacist need to have and what do you need to know to support patients to make informed decisions about these technologies and support them in using them properly? How can pharmacists address data privacy, quality, and integration into or with healthcare systems? Additionally, where do pharmacists play a crucial role in supporting clinical decision-making and helping patients comprehend the benefits and risks of using new digital health technologies to enhance digital health literacy?
There is a need to highlight the importance of regulatory and ethical frameworks and the education of health professionals in the use of digital health for pharmacy practice. Also crucial are professional collaboration, data privacy and quality as well as equitable access. At all times it should be ensured that digital tools designed for pharmacy practice, including AI to support clinical decision-making, are accessible to the professionals to enable them to provide the best care to the population.
Pharmacists have traditionally been early adopters of technology and are best poised to adopt new digital innovations into their daily practice. Pharmacists can lead in the digital innovation space by:
- Championing telehealth and digital pharmacy tools
- Developing medication applications
- Leveraging data analytics, i.e., Electronic health records
- Promoting clinical care and patient self-care technologies designed to improve patient outcomes
- Educating patients on appropriate and valid digital health tools
-Leading clinical research in digital health
- Designing and developing digital health technologies.
Programme:
| 14:30 – 14:35 | Introduction by the chairs |
| 14:35 – 15:00 | The range of digital health, telehealth and mobile applications being used in healthcare and pharmacy |
| Mr Jesper Grønbæk, Health Tech Hub Copenhagen, Denmark | |
| 15:00 – 15:25 | What pharmacists need to be aware of to meet their regulatory and ethical obligations |
| Dr Dan Burns, PSI–The Pharmacy Regulator, Ireland | |
| 15:25 – 15:50 | Panel discussion with all speakers |
| 15:50 – 16:00 | Q&A and closing by the chairs |
Learning objectives:
1. To understand the competencies required to use and identify different types of digital health tools, and mobile and telehealth applications, and to understand the risks and benefits in patient care.
2. To describe regulatory considerations when using digital, mobile or telehealth applications in practice.
3. To describe ethical considerations and obligations when using digital, mobile or telehealth applications to ensure safe and ethical practice.
Take home messages:
Digital, mobile and telehealth applications are common and medication management applications are predicted to be a priority investment area for leading health organisations. Pharmacists need to be aware of how they impact practice and what their regulatory and ethical responsibilities are when used in pharmacy practice.
FIP Development Goals:
Please see below the FIP Development Goals related to the session.
FIP Development Goal 18: Access to Medicines, Devices & Services
FIP Development Goal 19: Patient Safety
FIP Development Goal 20: Digital Health
