Opinions of healthcare professionals at Federal Medical Centre Bida on barriers to successful implementation of electronic health record (EHRs) in Nigeria

Abstract

Background/Objective: Electronic health records (EHRs) have been available for decades, and yet hospitals, doctors, and other caregivers have been slow to adopt them especially in developing countries. The most common reported barriers to EHRs implementation include; cost of implementation and maintenance, inadequate computer skills, low computer literacy, issue of wireless connectivity, time involvement, knowledge and perception about EHRs and organizational preferences. Methods/Design: This is a cross-sectional study on the opinions of healthcare professionals on various perceived barriers to successful implementation of EHRs in Nigeria. Result: From the findings, the majority with Mean values of 3.95, 3.75, 3.65 and 3.53 respectively agreed that finance, change process and organizational characteristics of individual practices with issues relating to hospital management as well as formal training are the major barriers facing EHRs implementation in Nigeria. Conclusion: Despite the identified perceived barriers to successful implementation of EHRs in Nigeria, there appears to be readiness and eagerness among healthcare providers. Therefore, there is hope for open arm adoption of electronic health records in Nigeria. Political will by the federal government of Nigeria is solicited, the management of various healthcare institutions should also create an enabling environment and healthcare professionals are encouraged to welcome impending changes that will come along with EHRs services.