Assessment of Electronic Medical Record Utilization and Associated Factors among Health Care Professionals in Hospitals at Addis Ababa City Administration Health Bureau

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.