Living Labs Shape a Smarter Prescription System

Putting digital tools into everyday doctor visits is tough, even though they can make care better.

One way to test these tools is by using living labs, where everyone works together to shape the system.

These labs let people who use health services, doctors, pharmacists and software makers try things out and give feedback.

The eRIKA project used this idea to build a digital medicine ordering system.

Four themed sprints were run across three German areas—Saarland, Berlin and Westphalia‑Lippe—from late 2022 until September 2024.

We gathered 17 people: six GP offices, six pharmacies and a hospital staff, including doctors, pharmacists, assistants and technicians.

The recordings were examined using a reflective thematic approach.

Three main ideas popped up.

First, the team wanted ways to filter and sort information, keep messages digital, and cut down on heavy workloads.

Second, they stressed that the system must fit smoothly with existing software, keep medication histories accurate, and work with other health tech.

Third, they noted that technical glitches and poor data sharing can slow the whole process.

The study shows that living labs can help shape a better e‑prescribing path, but they also reveal limits like time, resources and the need for clear teamwork.

Overall, the approach proves useful yet needs careful planning to succeed.