Barriers to effective use of electronic health record system

Description

Abstract This research work empirically explored barriers to the effective use of electronic health record system. The objectives of this study were to examine the facilitators of electronic health record (EHR) usage, examine the barriers to electronic health record (EHR) usage, identify factors to help implement facilitators of electronic health record (EHR) usage, identify means to overcome barriers of electronic health record (EHR) usage. The scope of the study is the Federal Medical Center Owerri, innovation diffusion theory was used as a framework. The research design used for this study is descriptive cross-sectional design using a semi-structured interview guide, the population targeted for this study consists of implementors and end-users of EHR in Federal Medical Center Owerri.  4 implementors and 20 end-users of EHR were used as sample size and cluster sampling technique was applied. Instrument used for this study is interview. Data collected were collected from primary sources. From the analysis of the data, the findings show that available equipment, training and supervision were the major facilitators of EHR usage, poor software, lack of funds and technicians were the major barriers to EHR usage, availability of funds and training of staffs will help facilitate the implementation of HER, provision of equipment and motivation will help overcome the barriers. Following the findings, it was recommended that equipment needed should be adequately provided, staffs should undergo training, software should be updated, staffs should be motivated and properly supervised. The study concludes that implementation of electronic health record system will bring positive impact on the population. Keywords: electronic health record system (EHR), barriers, Federal Medical Center Owerri.