evaluation of hospital information system in meeting the patient drug information needs for self-care management

introduction: in a comprehensive health approach, emphasis has been more on education and self-care than care itself, and aims to increase patient’s knowledge to give decision making and independence ability to improve quality of lifestyle. these can develop with progress of information technology. the aim of this study was to evaluate hospital information system (his) in meeting the patient drug information needs for self-care management. methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study was done in 2011. as his is maintained by 15 software companies and due to contingency software of each, a hospital from each company, was selected by a random simple sampling method. essential drug data elements determined by a questionnaire (with face and content validity) and delphi approach on three-step conversations with expert. then a checklist was prepared and his was observed based on the checklist. results: finding showed number of repeated description, dosage, duration, time, adverse reaction, drug discontinuation, recommendation use, start date, number of drug, consume method, drug interaction, physicians drug prescription, preparative's methods, food-drug interaction, and drug form and prescription date were essential drug data elements recommended by the experts. history of drug administration was in 8 his software (53.33%) and prescription date were in 7 his software (46.66%). conclusion: feasibility of his is very low. his software's must be developed and upgraded by their providing companies.