Digital Solutions Are Just One Way to Help Ease Physicians' Burden

More than half of physicians report having less free time than when they first started practicing. We're creating a simpler pharmacy experience to reduce administrative burden.
Thank You, Doctors

Across the care continuum, doctors lead the way in advancing medicine and providing patient care. More than 700,000 physicians and surgeons across the U.S. perform a wide range of services, including diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries and administering preventive health measures.

As we celebrate National Doctors’ Day on March 30, we take this opportunity to offer our appreciation and recognize the sacrifices doctors make for the health care industry. Time spent away from family and loved ones is often the most significant sacrifice made by doctors.

According to a physician survey by locumstory.com, more than half of physicians (55%) have less free time outside of work than when they first started their career. And, according to the 2018 Genentech Oncology Trend Report, 63% of oncologists are reporting an increase in personal workload.

At Express Scripts, we engage with thousands of prescribers across the country. We know the best way to thank them – on Doctors’ Day and everyday – is by creating a simpler pharmacy experience at the point-of-care, when they’re making crucial decisions regarding patients’ treatments, which we do a few different ways.

Through our prescriber engagement program, led by a team of more than 200 pharmacists, we’re working with physicians to help inform prescribing decisions before the patient reaches the pharmacy counter.

Our digital solutions, such as electronic prior authorizations, clinical direct messaging and real-time prescription benefit information improve connectivity and eases the administrative burden for physicians and their staff.

Using real-time data, we inform prescribing decisions by sharing the patient’s out-of-pocket cost, formulary coverage, therapy options, generic vs brand pricing and pharmacy channel pricing differences. The information also helps physicians address safety concerns, such as drug interactions, over-utilization and adherence gaps for patients who are late to fill a medication.

These are just a few of the ways we are reducing the administrative burden for physicians and helping them make the most appropriate, cost-effective prescribing decisions.

To all the physician and providers we work with to care for our members, thank you!


Stay Informed
Subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates and the latest thinking from our experts.