USER ACCEPTANCE OF THE ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD SYSTEM AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN THE TAMALE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Abstract

Electronic Health Records Systems (EHR) have become crucial for improving healthcare globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Despite their advantages over traditional paper records, the acceptance of new information technology remains challenging. Since the implementation of the Lightwave Health Information Management System (LHIMS) EHR in the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Ghana, user acceptance and satisfaction have not been evaluated to gauge staff perceptions of the system. Leveraging the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the research aims to assess user acceptance and satisfaction of the LHIMS among healthcare workers in the Tamale Teaching Hospital. A quantitative, analytical cross-sectional approach was used to study 373 health workers. The study applied the Chi-square and logistic regression analyses to identify factors influencing acceptance and satisfaction. The Z-test for proportion was conducted to evaluate differences in staff attitude before and after implementation of the system. The study revealed a high acceptance rate (97%) and satisfaction (77%) with the application. The overall user perception of the intervention was positive. Predictors of user acceptance were being a medical doctor (OR=7.443, p=0.048), perceived usefulness (OR=2.793, p=0.037), behavioral intention to use LHIMS (OR=3.225, p=0.048) and training (OR=2.957, p=0.007). User satisfaction was predicted by perceived ease of use (OR=1.644, p=0.014), perceived usefulness (OR=2.514, p=0.001), training (OR=1.656, p=0.000) and gender (OR=0.411, p= 0.001). Male workers were less likely to be satisfied with the system. The main challenges of the application were inadequate computers and poor internet services, which sometimes caused unnecessary patient delay. The study highlights the potential of the intervention to improve healthcare delivery in the hospital. Management should provide additional computers and ensure continuous internet availability to avoid dissatisfaction among workers.