Electronic Health Records (EHRS) Use and Quality Healthcare Delivery by Physicians in Tertiary Hospitals in Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Abstract

Quality healthcare delivery is imperative for sustainable socio-economic development and poverty reduction in any nation. It is a function of timely access to relevant and accurate patient health information by physicians, error-free prescription and medication, and the seamless transfer of patients from one level of care to another. However, the quality of healthcare delivery by physicians in Nigerian hospitals falls short of international best practices. The study investigated the influence of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) use on quality healthcare delivery by physicians in tertiary hospitals in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria. The survey research design was adopted for the study. The population consisted of 610 physicians from the level of Registrar to that of Consultant in the three Federal Tertiary Hospitals located within the FCT. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 390 physicians Registrars/Consultants) across all departments. A validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The Cronbach’s Alpha reliability coefficients for the constructs ranged from 0.89 to 0.98. The response rate was 99.5%. Data were analyzed using inferential (correlation, simple and multiple regression) statistics. Findings showed weak but significant relationships between quality healthcare delivery and Health Information Exchange (r(388)=.240, p<0.05), Computerized Physician Order Entry (r(388)=.173, p<0.05) and Clinical Decision Support (r(388)=.277, p<0.05). The study concluded that EHRs use contributes to quality healthcare delivery by physicians in tertiary hospitals in FCT, Nigeria. Therefore, the legislative arm of the government should enact a law on the adoption, implementation and use of electronic health records in the nation’s tertiary hospitals.