Knowledge, attitudes, perception and barrier of e-Health medical record keeping as against the hand written medical record keeping in lagos state teaching hospital

ABSTRACT

The adoption and
promotion of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), including
Electronic Health Records (EHR) system, in healthcare delivery is growing
rapidly in most developing countries including Nigeria. The aim of this study is
to evaluates the attitude, perception and barrier of implemented EHR at Lagos
state university teaching Hospital by assessing the preparations made prior to
the systems introduction as well as the factors that impede or promote the
systems usability and satisfaction among the users of the system. With an
interpretive case study research approach, data was gathered from the users of
the system and the system administrators using in-depth semi-structured
interviews, open-ended questionnaires, and observations and focused group
discussions. Results indicate sufficient preparations made by the hospital
prior to the systems introduction through thorough understudying of other
implemented systems in other hospitals, the establishment of an Information
Technology (IT) department, provision of infrastructure and network
connections, and the training of staff. In spite of these, the study revealed
some drawbacks in the preparations to include; inadequate computers, inadequate
training and the non-involvement of users in the design and configuration of
the system. Majority of the users recorded their satisfaction with the system
although the attitudes of some users were perceived to be underserved. Benefits
realized from the implemented EHR included; reduced errors and missing files,
reduced work task, reduced expenditure on paper logistics and the retrieval of
absconded bills. The findings from the study were discussed and the necessary
recommendations made towards the sustainability of the implemented EHR.

Keywords: Electronic Health Records, Information Infrastructure, Usability, Users
satisfaction, initial assessment