Physicians Use Of Electronic Health Records Systems And Performance In Hospitals Within Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

This research was carried out within hospitals in Nairobi County to investigate the use of electronic health records systems by physicians and how their use relates to performance. The study also looked at establishing the drivers towards use of these systems, the extent at which they use these systems, challenges encountered while using them, and finally establishing the relationship between usage and physician performance. This study used the descriptive survey design. The population for this study were physicians working in hospitals within the Nairobi County that use electronic systems to manage their health records. Ten hospitals were identified and considered for the study. Printed paper questionnaires were used to collect the data. Demographic characteristics were analyzed using frequencies and percentages. Drivers towards usage of EHRs, extent of usage and challenges were analyzed by use of means and standard deviations. Regression analysis was carried out to establish the use of these systems and how they relate to performance of physicians. The study found the respondents rated that the greatest driver towards usage of electronic health records systems was the need for accomplishing tasks more easily and efficiently to a very large extent. On the extent of usage of EHRs, the study found that the feature rated as used every time was to enter daily notes. On challenges with the use of EHRs, the study found the physicians rated lack of clinical reminders and the lack for drug allergy alerts as a challenge to a large extent. The findings from the regression analysis reveal that the usage of the health information and reporting module of the EHR was significantly associated with improvement in the number of patients seen, collaboration with other physicians on a patient, and the efficiency experienced in which they complete tasks. The security and confidentiality module, was found to have a significant association with improvement in the number of patients seen and the efficiency experienced in which they complete tasks. Finally, the study recommends continuous training on the use of EHRs, more importantly on its advanced features. It also recommends that studies be carried out to assess how the use of reporting and use of security features relates to performance.