Implementation of electronic medical records requires more than new software: Lessons on integrating and managing health technologies from Mbarara, Uganda

Abstract

Implementation lessons•Technology alone does not necessarily lead to improvement in health service delivery, in contrast to the common assumption that advanced technology goes hand in hand with progress.•Implementation of electronic medical record (EMR) systems is a complex, resource-intensive process that, in addition to software, hardware, and human resource investments, requires careful planning, change management skills, adaptability, and continuous engagement of stakeholders.•Research requirements and goals must be balanced with service delivery needs when determining how much information is essential to collect and who should be interfacing with the EMR system.•EMR systems require ongoing monitoring and regular updates to ensure they are responsive to evolving clinical use cases and research questions.•High-quality data and analyses are essential for EMRs to deliver value to providers, researchers, and patients.