Electronic medical records: a developing and developed country analysis

Abstract

Most medical records are kept on paper. This makes it difficult to use the available information for management of care, measuring of quality of care and improving care delivery. The healthcare industry is mostly data driven and it depends on the accuracy and availability of the data and since most of the data is on paper format; this limits access to the data by healthcare providers and acts as a hindrance to healthcare delivery. The implementation of Electronic Medical Records (EMR), which will change the out-of-date paper record keeping system to a computerised modern record keeping system, is imagined to have a lot of benefits for healthcare services. The primary aim of this research is to gain an understanding of the implementation of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems in developed and developing countries. There is a direct relationship between the income of the country and the use of electronic information and communication systems as part of healthcare systems hence the division between developed and developing countries. A preliminary investigation suggests that developed countries have higher level of quality of care and higher adoption rate and usage of EMR systems when compared to developing countries. This study is a qualitative study focusing on understanding Electronic Medical Records (EMR) in developed countries and developing countries and making a comparison of the two scenarios. The qualitative study for EMR systems in developed countries is based on published information. For developing countries, the qualitative study is divided into published information and a semi-structured interviews. The semi-structured interviews are collected in South Africa, which is used as an example of a developing country. South Africa; with one of the lowest ranked health services and also a resource restrained country; is a good example of a developing country. The outcome of the research study is a comparative analysis of EMR systems in developed and developing countries including: implementation strategies; rate of adoption of EMR systems; challenges associated with the adoption of EMR systems and the benefits realised from the implementation of EMR systems.