Research evidence on strategies enabling integration of electronic health records in the health care systems of low- and middle-income countries: A literature review.

Abstract

Integration of electronic health records (EHRs) in the national health care systems of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is vital for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all people of all ages. National EHR systems are increasing, but mostly in developed countries. Besides, there is limited research evidence on successful strategies for ensuring integration of national EHRs in the health care systems of LMICs. To fill this evidence gap, a comprehensive survey of literature was conducted using scientific electronic databases-PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Global Health-and consultations with international experts. The review highlights the lack of evidence on strategies for integrating EHR systems, although there was ample evidence on implementation challenges and relevance of EHRs to vertical disease programs such as HIV. The findings describe the narrow focus of EHR implementation, the prominence of vertical disease programs in EHR adoption, testing of theoretical and conceptual models for EHR implementation and success, and strategies for EHR implementation. The review findings are further amplified through examples of EHR implementation in Sierra Leone, Malawi, and India. Unless evidence-based strategies are identified and applied, integration of national EHRs in the health care systems of LMICs is difficult.