Year: 2017
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The adoption and use of Electronic Health Records (EHR) is understated, despite the \nknown benefits of Electronic Health Records (EHR) and the availability of health \ninformation systems technology to bridge the healthcare supply-demand gap. \nObjective \nThis study seeks to explore and elucidate the complex interaction of factors inherent \nin the adoption and use of EHR from the perspective of strategic, operational and \nfrontline staff in the private urban hospital setting. \nMethodology \nThis study employed a phenomenological qualitative design to gain a deeper \nunderstanding of factors at intrinsic to the adoption of health information technology \nsystems in urban hospitals. The study conducted 21 interviews in two private \nhospitals with decision makers and computerized information system end-users. The \ncohort was segmented into three organizational tiers constituted with frontline, \noperational and strategic staff. \nResults \nParticipants agreed that EHR have relative advantage over paper in the form of \noperational efficiencies and delivery of care improvements. They did acknowledge \nexisting challenges of using electronic information systems including prohibitive \nfinancial requirements, IT & computer literacy, system usability and functionality \nchallenges, miscommunication, organizational processes and culture and increased \nworkload. \nConclusion \nEHR hold immense potential for transforming the delivery of care in hospitals. \nDecision makers need to leverage the organisational human resource potential in \ntheir quest to realize EHR value for all stakeholders. However EHR cannot be \nviewed as the only solution to improving healthcare.
Author: Svieta Ngcaba
Language: English
Subfield: Health Information Management
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: University of Pretoria
OpenAlex ID: W2612050683