Nurses and physicians’ perceptions on the Electronic Health Record implementation

Abstract

Background

Electronic Health Record (EHR) implementation is recommended to improve quality of patient care through information accessibility. Nurses and physicians as the EHR users play pivotal roles in the successful implementation of EHR.

Objective

This study was aimed to understand clinicians’ perceptions on EHR implementation.

Method

This study was a descriptive quantitative with a cross sectional design. A questionnaire developed by Houser (2008) was translated and modified to inquire clinicians’ perception on EHR implementation. The data was analyzed to provide the description of clinicians’ perception.

Result

There were 152 clinicians who work at inpatient unit in an academic hospital involved in the study (137 nurses and 41 physicians). Most clinicians (87.6% physicians and 92.7% nurses) agreed that EHR bring ease and speed in sharing information, could improve their workflow, and healthcare quality. Lack of training could be the biggest barrier for nurses (60.6%). Problem in Internet connection perceived by physicians (51.2%) is the biggest barrier to implementation.

Conclusion

Physicians have the same perception with nurses on the driving factor of EHR implementation, which are EHR capability in sharing information and improve healthcare services quality. There was a different perception on the barrier of EHR implementation between physicians and nurses.