A wide range of factors can affect the adoption of EMR systems at large hospitals in developing countries. A wide range of potential benefits can be attributed to these systems, and some of these benefits, such as reducing waiting times for patients, may in fact be greater for hospitals in the developing world than in the developed world. Similar to the developed world the environment at large hospitals in developing countries can be quite complex. Challenges related to meeting varying interests in the system from different actors, and in accommodating skeptical users and those that lack IT skills will be encountered in many situations.
The challenges concerning to the adoption of EMR systems are possible to overcome however through the use of effective communication practices with managers. High levels of user input from the clinical staff will be needed and can be aided by the use of techniques such as cooperative and evolutionary prototyping, as well as an integrated approach to design and implementation that includes using the physician champion as the lead project manager.
The eventual system that is implemented may need to include features that pay special attention to accommodating skeptical users and those lacking IT skills. Consider pursuing user interfaces that are very similar to paper records in order to help users feel more comfortable with adopting the system. Social elements of the system that include social and financial incentives to use the system, as well as programs that help promote computing outside the work context, may also prove valuable.
Barriers to Health Information Systems and Electronic Medical Records
Despite the positive effects of Health Information Systems and Electronic Medical Records use in medical and healthcare practices, barriers appear when they approach systems implementation. The study identified six main categories of barriers, which are consistent with those reported in recent published research.
- Human Barriers, related to the beliefs, behaviors and attitudes.
- Professional Barriers, related to the nature of healthcare jobs.
- Technical Barriers, related to computers and IT.
- Organizational Barriers, related to the hospital management.
- Financial Barriers, related to money and funding and
- Legal and Regulatory Barriers, related to laws, regulations and legislations.
Human barriers as well as financial barriers are the two major categories of barriers and challenges in the way of successful implementation of EMRs.
