Abstract:
Background: - Globally, electronic information and communication technology has been
applied and much expanded in the healthcare industry. However, in developing countries
including Ethiopia, Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system adoption and utilization for
medical practice are still inconsistent and healthcare institutions that started utilization
currently face different problems to sustain. A readiness of healthcare workers to use is
mandatory to expand digital health service delivery.
Objective: - To assess readiness to use the electronic medical record system and associated
factors among health professional at Jimma university medical center in Jimma town,
Southwest Ethiopia, 2024.
Methods: - An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 10 up to Jun
12, 2024 on 302 health professionals working in Jimma university medical center (JUMC)
sampled and selected by using a simple random sampling technique. Data was collected by
using Open Data Kit (ODK) collect software and exported to SPSS version 27 for further
analysis. Descriptive statistics was computed to describe study variables and presented using
tables. Bi-variable and multivariable binary logistic regression models was fitted to identify
the associated factors.
Result: Of study participants, 291 participated in the study with a 96.03% response rate. This
study shows that we are 95% confident that the true proportion of health professionals who are
ready to use EMRs lies between 52.2% and 63.8%. This means that more than half of the
respondents are ready
In this study Female health professionals are 55.7% less likely to be ready to use the EMR
system than males, AOR = 0.443, 95% CI [0.232, 0.847], Those health professionals
competent in computers and IT Skills are 1,042.6% more likely to be ready for EMRs AOR =
11.426, 95% CI [4.796, 27.220]. Having Working Experience of 11 to 15 years are 86.1% less
likely to be ready to use EMRs compared to those with less than 2 years AOR = 0.139, 95%
CI [0.020, 0.968]. Having favorable attitude are 176.1% more likely to be ready to use EMRs
compared to those with favorable attitude AOR = 2.761, 95% CI (1.383, 5.513).
Conclusion: - The findings of this study show that sex, computer skill and attitude toward
EMR systems are the significant factors influencing readiness to use EMR system. Majority
of the health professional have overall readiness to use EMR system.
