Bingo! on your last sentence....
Of course, if the pharmacist would call us directly instead of making the patient page us, it would be a rather seamless operation.
My frustrations exactly. Patient are amazed at the eprescribing, that I already sent it while talking with them about the problem, but they are also distrustful of the technology. My last patient today asked if I was going to send it. I said, "I just did while we were talking about your hypertension." They said, "but last time the pharmacist (Walmart)says they didn't get it." I told them that if it isn't there, then have the pharmacist call immediately and I will authorize it.*
Like any low performing flunky, I think employees at these big chains just find it easier to blame the doctor for not sending it, rather than looking on the computer or explaining it may take 15 minutes. I have gotten this from the local hospital: "The doctor never faxed it." Patient says, "But I stood there and watched him fax the order." Then then somehow find it on a machine.
*Incidentally, the patient then asked if is is 'filled' already, have joking as he implied the real delay is with the pharmacist. I told him the technology exists in some offices to send it to a machine and the vending-like apparatus dispenses the pills in a bottle and labels with the information. He commented that then we wouldn't need pharmacists. At this point, I explained the vital functions the pharmacists fulfill, like explaining his BP medication will keep him up all night urinating if he takes in the evening.
