Views on health information and perceptions of standardized electronic records among staff in Child and School Health Services

Abstract

Views on health information and perceptions of standardized electronic records among staff in Child and School Health Services Aim To investigate how nurses and physicians in the Child and School Health Services view the documentation and transfer of health information. Another aim concerns their perceptions of a nationally standardized electronic health record. Background Problems of mental health among children and adolescents currently pose one of the greatest challenges facing all European countries. The continuity of health work demands that all health information follow the child's development, disregarding the organizational arrangement. Methods The study was descriptive and comprised 484 questionnaires to nurses and physicians in the Child and School Health Services in Sweden. Results More information about children's health was transferred than documented in the health record when children started school. This additional health information concerned psychosocial health and foremost family function. There was a consensus concerning the usefulness of a nationally standardized electronic health record, although there were group differences between nurses and physicians. Conclusions All information about children's health is not documented although the professional's positive perceptions to electronic health records may provide a basis to improve documentation. Implications for nursing management The results indicate challenges to develop a common language to document psychosocial issues necessary for providing a holistic view of children's health. © 2011 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.