Attitudes toward implementation of electronic medical record and its associated factors among health professional workers in selected public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2023: A multi-center cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND STUDY

Electronic medical record (EMR) systems in healthcare delivery have the potential to transform healthcare in terms of saving costs, reducing medical errors, and improving data quality. This study aimed to assess the Attitudes toward implementing electronic medical records and associated factors among health professional workers in selected public hospitals in Addis Ababa

METHOD

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 422 health professionals in selected hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2023. The study participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique. A binary and multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify associated factors for electronic medical record implementation. A -value < .05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULT

The overall electronic medical record implementation perceived as useful by health workers is 298 (73.6%), with an allocation of enough budget [AOR = 3.196 (1.49-6.735)] has no networking or problem with internet access [AOR = 1.794(1.089-2.954)]. Electronic medical record increases workload [AOR = 2.350 (1.302-4.243)], which was significantly associated with electronic medical record implementation.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

According to this study, the overall perception of health professionals toward electronic medical record implementation was high. However, it would be better to build and establish strong internet connectivity and stable power supply or internet access without networking problems, allocate enough budget, and work in collaboration with hospitals and health bureaus to strengthen and support the electronic medical record in their facilities.