IntroductionElectronic health records (EHRs) can improve the quality and safety of care. However, the adoption and use of the EHR is influenced by several factors, including users’ perception.ObjectivesTo undertake a systematic review of the literature to understand healthcare professionals’ perceptions about the adoption and use of EHRs in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in order to influence the implementation strategies, training programme and policy development in the GCC region.MethodA systematic literature search was undertaken on seven online databases to identify articles published between January 2006 and December 2017 examining healthcare professionals’ perception towards the adoption and use of EHR in the Gulf context.ResultsThe fourteen articles included in this review identified both positive and negative perceptions of the role of EHR in healthcare. The positive perceptions included EHR benefits, such as improvements to work efficiency, quality of care, communication and access to patient data. Conversely, the negative perceptions were associated with challenges or risks of adopting an EHR, such as disruption of provider–patient communication, privacy and security concerns and high initial costs. The perceptions were influenced by personal factors (eg, age, occupation and computer literacy) and system factors (perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use).ConclusionPositive perceptions of EHRs by the healthcare professionals could facilitate the adoption of this technology in the Gulf region, particularly when barriers are addressed early. Negative perceptions may inform change management strategies during adoption and implementation. The perceptions should be further evaluated from a technology acceptance perspective.

EHRs are crucial for the provision of high-quality healthcare. However, their adoption and utilization are influenced by several factors, including users’ perceptions. This study evaluated the perceptions of Saudi healthcare professionals towards the adoption of EHRs in primary care. All healthcare professionals working in primary care centers in Riyadh city were surveyed, resulting in a 65.9% response rate. Overall, the respondents had a positive perception of EHRs, as demonstrated by high agreement levels across all benefits and low with obstacles. There was also a positive relationship between perceived benefits and satisfaction with EHRs but negative with obstacles to adoption.

Electronic health and medical records are widely adopted in many healthcare settings worldwide to improve the quality of care. Users’ perception is a significant factor influencing the successful implementation and use of e-health technologies. This systematic review aimed to identify factors influencing the perceptions of healthcare professionals towards the adoption and use of electronic health and medical record systems to improve the quality of healthcare services in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council. We identified primary studies evaluating healthcare professionals’ perception towards electronic health records and/or electronic medical records in the Gulf region. Seven electronic databases, including Medline, CINAHL, Informit Health Collection, Science Direct, ProQuest, PubMed, and Scopus were used to search for the relevant articles published between January 2007 and December 2016. Thirteen articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic review. Both individual and system-related factors were found to positively or negatively influence healthcare providers’ perceptions towards the systems. Understanding the impact of healthcare professionals’ perception of health information technology is important for policymakers involved in the implementation programs to ensure their success. Future studies should evaluate other individual characteristics such as age, gender, and profession of the healthcare providers on their perceptions towards e-health technologies.

Electronic Health Records are rapidly gaining traction in healthcare with increased acceptance and adoption. However, there is limited understanding of factors influencing adoption in primary care. This paper investigates the human factors of EHR adoption in primary healthcare in Saudi Arabia. An online survey questionnaire was sent to all primary healthcare professionals in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. A 65.9% (1127/1710) response rate was obtained. The respondents demonstrated positive perceptions of EHRs in relation to the systems’ benefits. The perceptions were influenced by sociodemographic variables; hence, need consideration when implementing EHRs in primary care.

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