User Perception on Electronic Medical Records Support for Treatment in Mama Lucy and Mbagathi Hospital

Abstract

Electronic health records offer a valuable resource to improve health surveillance an evaluation as well as informing clinical decision making.  This has been introduced in many different settings including low and middle income countries. The focus on healthcare as one of Kenya’s big four agenda will greatly be achieve in an EMR environment. The objective of this study was to establish users’ perception on EMR support for treatment in Mama Lucy and Mbagathi hospital. The study employed technology acceptance model and was guided by descriptive research design. A sample size of 238 out of a population of 630 employees working at Mama Lucy Kibaki hospital and Mbagathi hospital was used. Primary data was collected using questionnaires. Additional data was collected from secondary sources using documentary analysis. Analysis was done by SPSS Version 23.0, and presented in form of tables and charts. The findings confirmed that Mama Lucy and Mbagathi hospital service providers perceived that an EMR system is the best and easy use during service delivery compare to use paper. They also believe that there is improvement in the quality of care and services for the patients; use of EMRs speeds up registration of patient information; and it reduces medication and prescription errors in the hospitals. This study recommends that; the two facilities should make sure that there is adoption of a fully electronic medical records system in so as to improve the quality of delivery of services to the patients to receive better perception.  Both Mama Lucy and Mbagathi hospitals should train the service providers and emphasize on the benefits of EMR so as to improve perceptions of EMR of the users as they interact with the system.

Keywords: User Perception, Electronic Medical Records, Support for Treatment, Mama Lucy Hospital, Mbagathi Hospital

DOI: 10.7176/IKM/11-1-03

Publication date: January 31^st 2021