Availability and use of in-patient electronic health records in low resource setting. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qazi, Umair; Haq, Mahdi; Rashad, Nabhan; Rashid, Khalid; Ullah, Shahid; Raza, Usman
• Is Part Of: Computer methods and programs in biomedicine. Volume 164(2018)
• Page Start: 23
• Page End: 29
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: Medicine -- Computer programs -- Periodicals; Biology -- Computer programs -- Periodicals; Computers -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Logiciels -- Périodiques; Biologie -- Logiciels -- Périodiques; Biology -- Computer programs; Medicine -- Computer programs; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2018.06.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0169-2607

Abstract

Highlights: Adoption of Electronic Health Records (EHR) is an emerging challenge in developing countries but not yet documented in Pakistan. This study evaluates the availability and use of in-patient EHR systems in Peshawar, Pakistan. We categorized the hospitals into small (<100), medium (100–500) and large (>500) by bed-count and EHR (basic and fully-functional) on computer system capabilities. Out of 58 hospitals, 35 were randomly selected. A pre-tested data collection tool was used. Only 1 hospital met the requirements of basic EHR, and none qualified for fully functional EHR. However, 9/35 hospitals (26%) had at least one EHR feature. Top reported hurdles in EHR use were high cost (46%), doubt about usefulness (19%), and doctors' unwillingness to use (19%). This is the first report on EHR availability in Pakistan, results may serve as a bench mark for improvement. By highlighting the need for EHR adoption, resources may be allocated to develop a national strategy to support the adoption and use of EHR.