A Consumer's Guide to Electronic Prescribing

The report, "A Consumer's Guide to e-Prescribing: Understanding the Benefits of e-Prescribing, How it Works and What You Can Do" is a short guide which was released on June 11, 2008 which is tailored to a consumer audience, providing an overview of the benefits of e-prescribing and answers to a series of frequently asked questions including the following:

What is e-prescribing and who participates in e-prescribing?
How does e-prescribing differ from traditional prescription methods?
How does it work? What are the benefits and costs? What are the potential drawbacks?
How widespread is its use?
Where can I learn more about e-prescribing?
What is being done to assure privacy and security of prescriptions and my personal health information?

A shorter consumer-targeted pamphlet has also developed entitled "Understanding the Benefits of e-Prescribing: How Does it Work, What Can You Do," which can be shared with patients by physician practices, or directly with patients through other mechanisms.

The guides were developed collaboratively by the eHealth Initiative (eHI) and The Center for Improving Medication Management (The Center) with the strategic guidance and leadership from a diverse Steering Group made up of the many stakeholders in health care, including clinicians, consumers, employers, health plans, health IT vendors and pharmacists and pharmacies.

Click here to access the report, "A Consumer's Guide to e-Prescribing"

Click here to access the June 11, 2008 press release