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

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.