Knowledge, attitudes and usage of electronic medical records system at Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Tanzania; An example of EMR user satisfaction in sub-Saharan Africa

BackgroundElectronic medical records (EMR) is a useful tool to facilitate workflow and improve the quality of patient care and patient safety. Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) started the computerization of patients records and running of administrative tasks via a customized system. Broad objectiveThis study was designed to assess the extent of utilization, staff knowledge, and attitudes towards the EMR system at ORCI. A quantitative data collection tool was adopted and distributed. MethodologyThe study was conducted at Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI), a national tertiary centre located in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Of the 259 employees, a standard structured tool for data collection was applied to the 154 staff calculated sample size. ResultsAll the respondents (52) had a working experience of more than three months and had access to the EMR with 49 (94.2%) involved in direct patient care. 25(48.1%) were male and 27(51.9%) were female with a computer literacy rate of 92.3% (48). Only 2(3.8%) of the respondents held postgraduate degrees, and 25 (48.1%) each had diploma (college) and degree (university) level of education. 26(50%) felt the EMR was efficient and met user demands, 19(36.5%) felt it efficient but needing additional modification and only 4 (7.7%) felt it a wastage of time. Attitudes for the usage were fairly distributed with most claiming either slight increase (21, 40.4%) or increase (19,36.5%) quality of work but only 51.9% (27) felt the tasks became easier. 33(63.5%) of the respondents always use paper-based records together with EMR. Whereas 25(48.1%) felt the system provided precise information and 37(71.2%) agreed that the contents provided in the system met their needs, 15(28.8%) felt that the contents never met their needs and 27(51.9%) of the respondents felt that it is not precise. While majority (85%) overall were satisfied with the system and 31(59.6%) rating it as good. 5(9.6%) rated poor satisfaction and there was an even divide on finding the system complicated. ConclusionsOverall, hospital staff know the potential benefits of proper implementation and use of an EMR in capturing clinical care. However, without proper and continuous ICT support, the EMR will continue to struggle with its adaptability and user satisfaction.