Assessment of Perception and Preparedness Regarding Use of Electronic Health Records Among Health Care Professionals

Abstract

This study was conducted with objectives to assess perception about need and use of electronic health records and preparedness to adopt electronic heath records. A descriptive study was conducted in Jan, 2013 at ICU’s of DMC and Hospital, Ludhiana. A total of 200 health care professionals consisting of, 150 nurses, 30 technicians and 20 resident doctors were selected by stratified random sampling technique. Structured questionnaire consists of 20 items to assess preparedness (computer literacy) and 5 point likert scale consists of 22 items was used to collect data. Data were collected by self report method. Result of the present study showed that resident doctors had better perception score about need and utility of EHR (78.15+7.35) as compared to technicians and nurses perception score, i.e., (77.46+6.19) and (77.13+6.83), respectively (p>0.05). It was found that there was weak positive correlation between the computer literacy (preparedness) and perception. Major findings of the study found that technicians, i.e., 21 (70%), nurses, i.e., 102 (68%) and resident doctors, i.e., 10 (50%) had adequate computer literacy (preparedness) to adopt EHR. It was also revealed that perception was not associated with any of socio-demographic characteristics but there was a statistically significant association between preparedness and socio-demographic characteristics (p<0.05). It was concluded that health care professionals were more prepare to adopt EHR. Computer education and training of health care professionals plays pivotal role in success of EHR implementation, so it should be provided to health care professionals as per requirement.   

Keywords: Electronic health records, Perception, Preparedness, Computer literacy, Health care professionals.