Perception and Pattern of Use of Electronic Medical Record System by Primary Health Care Physicians in State of Kuwait 2005

Abstract

Background: Clinicians are becoming increasingly involved in the development of information technology in health care, yet evaluation studies have provided little useful information to assist them. Electronic Medical Record System [EMRS] applications have the potential to improve the quality and reduce the cost of care. These benefits will not be realized until physicians routinely use these applications. Aim: Reveal opinion and pattern of use of the implemented EMRS by the primary health care [PHC] physicians in Kuwait. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in 56% of the PHC centers in Kuwait. A task-oriented standardized self-applied questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: Tasks which were not supported by the EMRS according to physicians’ perspectives were: answer medical questions, order and obtain results from various investigations, giving written information to patients, register codes, produce data reviews, and collect information for reports. Most of these tasks were either infrequently performed or relatively time consuming. The lowest level of use of the EMRS occurred among the PHC physicians in the Farwania health region. Conclusion: Appropriate specific training in EMRS usage is recommended proceeded by the application of a qualitative in-depth interview study to identify barriers, reasons, and method to increase success in EMRS implementation.