Abstract:
Background: EMR is an important tool that enables healthcare facilities to enhance healthcare
quality, safety, accessibility, equity, and efficiency. It is believed that EMR has the potential to
provide clinical decision-makers with complete and accessible information for every patient at
the point of care. Low-income countries, however, have had difficulty implementing extensive
EMR systems in their own setting due to a lack of funding, infrastructure, and required expertise.
Objective: To Assess Electronic medical record utilization and associated factors among health
care professionals in Addis Ababa city administration Health bureau hospitals, 2024.
Methods: A cross sectional study design, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative
research methods was conducted from April 1, 2024 – April 30, 2024 on 403 study participants.
A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain quantitative data and interviews
were made by using an interview guide questionnaire to obtain qualitative data. Data was
cleaned, edited and entered into Epi Data version 3.01 and analyzed using SPSS version 27
statistical software. Descriptive analysis was conducted to summarize quantitative data and
bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were done to show the association
between dependent and independent variables. The qualitative data was tape-recorded and
transcribed into Amharic before being translated into English. The primary themes were
identified from the categories, and the data was thematically analyzed.
Result: A total of 387 respondents were participated in the survey, with a response rate of 96%.
Overall, 319 (82.4%) (95% CI 79% – 86%) health care professionals were utilizing the EMR
system. Factors such as higher work experience [AOR = 2.1 (95% CI 1.10 - 4.28)], having basic
computer skill [AOR = 5.1 (95% CI 2.63 - 9.91)], presence of EMR guideline [AOR = 2.3 (95%
CI 1.05 - 4.74)] and having EMR training [AOR = 5.2 (95% CI 2.69 - 10.21)]. were positively
associated with EMR utilization. Key informants mentioned; loss of connection, lack of
integration with lab machines, unable to generate report, shortage of IT staffs, lack of computer
skill as factors that affect EMR utilization.
Conclusion: In conclusion electronic medical record utilization was 82.4% in this study. The
study finding suggested that having more work experience, basic computer skill, presence of
EMR guideline and having EMR training affect electronic medical record utilization.
