Abstract:
Background: Electronic prescription is important in ensuring effective healthcare delivery by storing and managing patient records specific to the prescription process and patient safety management in many low- and middle-income countries. Although there are many benefits to e-prescription, not all medical facilities, in this case hospitals, can adopt it.
Hence, this study is intended to analyze the barriers to the effective adoption of eprescription using EMRs from CHUK's OpenClinic.
Objective: This study aims to analyze the barriers that hinder the effective adoption and utilization of e-prescription in the OpenClinic GA's Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK). By identifying and understanding these barriers, the main objective is to identify the impacts of these barriers on patient services, thereby highlighting the importance of addressing these challenges for optimizing the utilization of e-prescription technology and improving healthcare outcomes. Methods: The research used a qualitative case study approach, combining semi structured interviews and purposive sampling method. Healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses, and pharmacists, involved in the utilization of OpenClinic GA's e-prescription module at CHUK, form the study participants. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes arising from the data related to adoption and their impact on patient services.
Results: The analysis revealed various barriers to the effective adoption of e-prescription within the OpenClinic GA's EMRs system at CHUK. These barriers included a lack of awareness among healthcare providers regarding the existence and functionalities of the eprescription module, lack of training on its utilization. These barriers, in turn, had significant impacts on the quality and efficiency of patient care, including medication errors, communication and delays in healthcare delivery.
Conclusion: Overcoming the identified barriers to the effective adoption of e-prescription in OpenClinic GA is crucial for improving healthcare processes and outcomes. Recommendations include enhancing awareness and training programs for healthcare providers, and fostering collaboration and communication among healthcare providers. By addressing these barriers, University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK), and similar healthcare organizations can optimize the adoption and utilization of e-prescription systems, leading to improved medication management, streamlined workflows, and enhanced patient care.
