The impact of electronic prescriptions to the organization of doctors' work according to the results of their survey

Electronic prescriptions (e-prescriptions) are a key element of the digital transformation of Ukraine’s healthcare system. However, their implementation and usage levels vary significantly depending on the physician’s specialty, years of experience, and the type of locality. This study is relevant due to the need for empirical analysis of these differences to improve the e-prescription system and enhance its overall efficiency. The aim of the work is to assess the impact of e-prescriptions on the workflow of physicians of various specialties and to identify patterns related to geographic location, years of practice, medical specialization, and the types of prescribed medications, particularly antibiotics. The study is based on an online survey of 86 physicians from public and municipal healthcare institutions conducted between April 2024 and April 2025. Descriptive statistics, χ² tests for associations, and calculation of means with 95% confidence intervals were used for data analysis. General practitioners and family physicians use e-prescriptions more actively, particularly in remote prescribing (82.1% vs. 26.7% among other specialists, χ² = 23.4; p < 0.001). No statistically significant difference was found in the frequency of antibiotic prescribing between the two groups (χ² = 0.74; p = 0.389). The time required to complete an e-prescription was most commonly 3–5 minutes, which constitutes a significant portion of a standard outpatient consultation. The highest-rated statement among physicians was «e-prescription is useful in my work» (4.39 ± 0.78), although 17% reported that completing an e-prescription takes more than 6 minutes. General practitioners and family physicians use the remote prescription functionality more frequently than physicians of other specialties. The use of e-prescriptions for antibiotics does not depend on the physician’s specialty. Despite the overall positive evaluation of e-prescriptions (4.39 ± 0.78), 17% of respondents report spending more than 6 minutes per prescription, indicating a need for further technical optimization and user support.