Exploring pharmacists’ experiences with the Electronic National Residential Medication Chart: A qualitative descriptive study

Background: Electronic medication management systems are increasingly adopted worldwide to enhance medication safety and efficiency in clinical settings. In Australia, government grants to support the transition to the electronic National Residential Medication Chart (eNRMC) commenced in 2022 but there is still limited research on its use in aged care. The eNRMC has the potential to enhance medication safety, reduce administrative burden, and facilitate better communication among care providers, however some studies have identified barriers such as low uptake and system design. Notably, these studies only include a small number of community pharmacists. As pharmacists play a critical role in medication management, particularly for older adults, it is essential to address their underrepresentation in current research to better optimise their experience with the eNRMC. Aim: This study aimed to explore the experiences of pharmacists who have used the (eNRMC) while providing care to residential aged care facilities. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study design was employed, with thematic analysis conducted using The Framework Method. Pharmacists with experience using the eNRMC were invited to participate in semi-structured individual interviews. These interviews were audio-visually recorded, transcribed using clean verbatim and analysed with NVivo software. Results: Twelve participants 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. Conclusion: Pharmacists from various roles described the eNRMC as beneficial for enhancing medication management, but software limitations and lack of support remain barriers that impede adoption.