Research Article

Factors affecting Utilization of Electronic Medical Records Systems in Improving Quality of Care for HIV clients -Case study Eastern Uganda

Abstract

Just as the adoption of information technology (IT) to support the delivery of healthcare has now been recognized for many years as an essential tool in improving patient care, the study aimed at investigating the factors affecting the Utilization of Electronic Medical Records Systems (EMR) in improving the quality of care among clients receiving Ante Retroviral Therapy (ART) in Eastern Uganda. This study was conducted in 15 districts of Budaka, Bududa, Bukwo, Bulambuli, Butaleja, Butebo, Kapchorwa, Kibuku, Kween, Manafwa, Mbale, Namisindwa and Pallisa, Sironko, Tororo and Mbale City with a total of 160 Government Health Facilities offering ART services. Data was collected using a structured and pretested research assistant-administered questionnaire. A total of 107 respondents were interviewed using the questionnaire making a response rate of 75%. Deductively,95% of the healthcare workforce are strong direct contributors to harnessing and improving technology in Health Care especially using EMR to improve the Quality of Services offered to ART clients in East Uganda. Government presence in the sphere of providing Human Resources for Health with Computer Skills and electronic medical records training is untapped hence a contributing factor to the under-utilization of EMR required in improving the Quality of Care of ART patients. The study deduced that there are no specific or known Government Policies towards improving, governing, and guiding IT in Health Care this in turn promotes reluctance to the utilization Electronic Medical Records Systems. Finally, the study concluded that most of the Human Resources for Health staff are underpaid way below the average African monthly salary average for health care professionals, yet studies have proven that well-motivated staff will endeavour to put in all their efforts towards ensuring enhanced output as opposed to a less motivated staff. The research findings suggest that EMR is a valuable tool for improving the Quality of care of patients receiving ART. Its Utilization in Improving Patient Quality of Care includes reminding the patient and clinicians when clients are for Viral Load bleeding, reminding clients to go for their ARV drug refills, and any services they are eligible for.