Embracing the electronic era: the role of digital prescribing solutions in paediatrics

Abstract

The research presented in the ‘Smartphone Use for Paediatric Calculations in Emergencies’ (SPaCE) study by Dr Jordan Evans and colleagues sheds light on this issue, suggesting that embracing digital solutions could significantly improve healthcare prescribing safety and efficiency.1 The SPaCE study evaluated emergency calculation methods, including smartphone apps, reference charts and traditional calculations. Furthermore, the integration of generative artificial intelligence and machine learning models into healthcare proposes an exciting frontier for medication error reduction and clinical decision support.6 While studies investigating the use of machine learning have been undertaken, evaluation and validation are required before its widespread implementation as a prediction or clinical decision support tool in EHRs. Scepticism about the initial costs and learning curves associated with digital solutions often overlooks the long-term benefits, such as time and resource savings and the potential to save lives by reducing prescribing errors.