Individual research recommendation details

Recommendation ID

NG5/3

Question

What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of using clinical decision support systems to reduce the
suboptimal use of medicines and improve patient outcomes from medicines, compared with usual
care, in the UK setting?

Any explanatory notes
(if applicable)

Clinical decision support systems (defined as 'an active, computerised intervention that occurs at
the time and location of prescribing, to support prescribers with decision-making') are widely used
in some primary care settings, such as in GP practices, but they may also be used in secondary care
(in specialist units, for example renal units). There are many types of clinical decision support
system available and they vary, from providing clinical decision support for general medicines use
to highlighting specific drug interactions. As different types of clinical decision support systems are
used already in some UK healthcare settings, NICE agreed that research needs to be carried out to identify whether using clinical decision support systems is a clinically and cost effective
intervention to reduce the suboptimal use of medicines and improve patient outcomes from
medicines compared with usual care, in the UK setting.

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance

Medicines optimisation: the safe and effective use of medicines to enable the best possible outcomes

Number

NG5

Date issued

March 2015

Other details