Phase I_Mendon Group_NCHHSTP_TOPIC_055

This research aims to address issues of access to healthcare services, reporting and information sharing between pharmacies and public health departments, and feasibility of an innovative technology solution that can serve as a model for future public health initiative. Focus-group, survey, ethnographic studies will be used to understand process/workflow, data needs, gapanalysis to identify software needs to close the loop between pharmacists and public health to enhance reporting and information sharing. The needs assessment will be utilized to develop specificiation – features and capabilities - for the prototype of the software add-on. Interoperability beta testing and usability testing feedback will be incorporated for the development of product refinement and product roadmap. Commericialization potential - including pricing strategies - will be explored. Many organizations across various domains, including healthcare and public health sectors, are currently pursuing application refactoring and redesign. The research will contribute to a better understanding of innovative healthcare delivery model as part of these modernization efforts. New approaches have the potential to contribute to reducing waste in healthcare spending, improving health outcome, providing better access to healthcare services to underserved population, and utilizing the highly trained pharmacist workforce to their full potential.