Usefulness of information and communication technology to physicians in tertiary health institutions in Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The adoption of e-platforms for use in clinical and administrative processes within health facilities in many African countries has been slow. Objectives: To assess the opinion of physicians on the usefulness and impact of e-platforms in their practice. Materials and Methods: Information was obtained from 236 physicians using an online pre-tested and validated 29-item questionnaire. Results: The majority of the respondents, 57.2% agreed that information and communication technology (ICT) reduced errors in patient records in the clinics and emergency room and 22.8% disagreed, whereas 19.9% were neutral. On whether ICT helped to curb cases of missing medical records, 76.7% agreed and 9.7% disagreed, whereas 13.6% were neutral. Concerning ICT platforms being user-friendly and easy to understand, 64% agreed and 12.3% disagreed, whereas 23.7% were neutral. On whether the clinics experienced faster reviews and turnaround time, 48.4% agreed and 20.8% disagreed, whereas 30.9% were neutral. While 27.1% agreed that excess workload had been reduced in their clinic in the past 3 years because of these new platforms and 28.8% disagreed, 44.1% were neutral. On clinics being less crowded as a result, 28.8% agreed and 32.2% disagreed, whereas 39% were neutral. There was no difference in the responses obtained across the various cadres of physicians or their years of experience. Conclusion: Most respondents agreed that communication with other health facilities and ease of accessing patients′ clinical and laboratory details have been improved by using e-platforms. Responses obtained did not vary across the various cadre of physicians or with their years of experience. Translating these innovations to impact patients’ satisfaction, reduction in workload, and overcrowding are of major importance.

Keywords

• clinical care
• emr
• health facilities
• health service delivery
• ict