Abstract

ICT COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ONCOLOGISTS AND ONCOLOGY PHARMACISTS IN INDIA: A PILOT STUDY

M. S. Bexci* and R. Subramani

ABSTRACT

Doctors and pharmacists communication is more vital for managing a better therapeutic patient outcome, especially in the speciality of Oncology. In India, oncologists have limited opportunity to have direct contact with oncology pharmacists, if even had, are very brief. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) based communication can improve efficient communication thereby reducing the limitations in direct or face-to-face communication. The objective of this pilot study is to understand how ICT capabilities influenced oncologists to communicate with oncology pharmacists for better understanding of drug profile administered in cancer care. This study is quantitatively analysed and found that Emails are most preferred tool for oncologist and oncology pharmacist communication due to its multichotomous technological capabilities.

Keywords: ICT based Communication, Email Communication, WhatsApp, Mobile HealthApps, Oncology-Pharmacists Communication.