การปรับตัวของเภสัชกรโรงพยาบาลในสังกัดกระทรวงสาธารณสุขต่อการนำหุ่นยนต์ทางเภสัชกรรมมาใช้

Abstract

This research objectives 1) to study adaptation and the factors that predict the adaptation of pharmacists who have experience using pharmaceutical robots, and 2) to study beliefs and attitudes towards the use of robots and the factors that predict beliefs and attitudes towards the adoption of robots among pharmacists with non-experience in using pharmaceutical robots. The study model was a cross-sectional analysis. Five hundred and seventy-five questionnaires were used to survey data from pharmacists who work in the hospitals under the Ministry of Public Health with experience and non-experience in using pharmaceutical robots. The data were collected during May – June 2021 with 283 sets of responses. Results: In the sample group with experience in using robots, 59 people, mostly female (85%), with working experience of fewer than 20 years (56%), graduated with a bachelor's degree (68%) and working in the outpatient dispensary department (51%). The average score of overall adaptation was moderate (3.49 - 3.82 out of 5). The Self-concept mode was the highest (mean score 3.82), followed by the Role Function mode, Physiologic mode, and Interdependence mode, respectively. Among this group, the tablet counter machine was the most used, followed by the unit dose packaging machine and automatic dispensing machine, accounting for 60.3%, 31%, and 24.1% respectively. Moreover, other types of robots have been used in some hospitals such as drug delivery robots and automatic drug mixers, meanwhile more than one type of robot has been used. Mostly robots were used in the Inpatient dispensary department, followed by the outpatient dispensary department, and drug production department, respectively. In the sample group with non-experience in robot use, 224 people mostly were female (77%), had working experience fewer than 20 years (68%), graduated with a bachelor's degree (78%), and working in the outpatient dispensary department (46%). The average score of belief about the impact of using robots on professional self-concept was the highest, followed by beliefs about the effect of robotics on physical balance, pharmacists' attitudes towards roles and duties, and beliefs about the implementation of pharmaceutical robots, respectively (3.58 – 3.94 out of 5). Most of this group expected to use tablet counter, followed by the unit dose packaging machine, automatic dispensing machine, automatic injection mixer, and parenteral nutrition mixer accounting for 69.4%, 47.3%, 24.8%, and 10.4% respectively. It was found that other types of robots may also be used, such as chemotherapy drug mixers and powder dispensers and in some hospitals. It is expected that more than one type of robot will be used at the time. As for the job characteristics expected the most to use the robot was the in-patient dispensary department, followed by the out-patient dispensary department and drug manufacturing department, respectively. In the group with experience using robots, only digital literacy was able to predict the sample's adaptation with a statistically significant. The adaptation was predicted by 25.8%.In the group with non-experience using robots, digital literacy and pharmaceutical competencies were able to predict their beliefs and attitudes towards the adoption of robots with statistically significant and can jointly predict beliefs and attitudes towards the adoption of robots by 24.8 %. This study shows that Digital literacy and pharmaceutical competencies can affect adaptation and beliefs and attitudes towards the adoption of robots. If pharmacists are supported with these skills, they could be ready for the technologies for hospital pharmacy.