Electronic Medical Record Use and Associated Factors in Diredawa, Eastern Ethiopia. A mixed Method Study

Abstract

Background: Despite rapid growth in the information technology (IT), adoption rate of electronic medical records (EMR) in health care setting is lagging behind in Ethiopia. EMRs have long been considered as essential elements in improving healthcare quality and safety, enhance service performance, reduce adverse events for patients, and support clinical decision support system. However, utilization of EMR among healthcare providers still remains low and there has been little progress toward harnessing the benefits of EMR particularly in developing countries. Objective: This study, therefore, is aimed at exploring EMR use and its determinants among health care providers. Methods: Quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted on 402 health professionals working at public health facilities supplemented with an exploratory qualitative study in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used to explore determinant factors of EMR use while qualitative data were thematically analyzed. Results: Overall, about a quarter (26.6%) of health professionals were using electronic medical record. Work experience of 6 years or less (AOR=2.23; 95% CI: [1.15-4.31]), discussion on EMR (AOR=14.47; 95% CI: [5.58-37.57]), presence of EMR manual (AOR=3.10 95%CI: [1.28-7.38]), and positive attitude towards EMR system (AOR=11.15; 95%CI: [4.90-25.36]) and service quality (AOR=8.02; 95% CI: [4.09-15.72]) were independent determinants of EMR use.Conclusion: The analysis carried out indicates that EMR use by health professionals in the study area is very low. Therefore, there is a need to leverage through continuous technical support and commitment to enhance EMR use which has the potential to improve health service performance.