Implementing electronic healthcare record in a public health facility in Nigeria: Awareness, acceptance and concerns among critical stakeholders

Abstract

This descriptive cross-sectional study investigated staff and patient awareness, preferences and concerns for EHR using a structured questionnaire. More of the staff were females (52.5%), nurses (48%) with ≤ 5 years of experience (71.4%). More staff (56.3%) than patient (38.9%) possesses at least average computer skills. Most patients were aware (87.2%), willing to accept (94.6%) and willing to have their personal health records (80.6%) in the EHR. Tendency to be anxious, less cautious, possibility of data security breaches as well as having poor understanding of the contents on their electronic records were prominent concerns of patients. Staff major concerns were related to data security and the technical aspects of the EHR implementation. The reported positive attitude of staff and patients underscore the facility’s readiness for deployment of EHR. Their preferences and concerns should however be considered in the implementation of the EHR in the hospital.