Uso del Expediente Clínico Electrónico en Morelos México: Percepción de los proveedores de salud

Abstract

Objective: To determine the factors related to the use of the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) from the perspective of the healthcare providers in Morelos State. Material and methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study implementing the qualitative method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to 22 healthcare providers, executive and administrators of a 2^nd level hospital in Morelos-Mexico. Results: We identified an insufficiency number of computers and trained personal to operate the EMR. Furthermore, when it was possible to operate it, the record became slow or presented frequent systematic failures such as: breakdowns, loss of internet signal or electricity.  These technical failures along with the lack of an organizational permanent technical support increased the resistance to implement the EMR as a tool into the medical office. Remarkably, the users considered the record to be reliable which would increase the possibility of use, however, it is not enough to obtain the maximum EMR performance. Conclusion: The lack of resources and the inefficiencies in the operation of the EMR contributes to a low acceptance along with the resistance to use it. Furthermore, the organization fails to train the staff properly and provide continuous support to both infrastructure and staff. In contrast to the previous, we identified that in the hospitalization areas and among the medical staff there is a greater use of this tool. These positive learning experiences could be used to permeate the entire organization.

Keywords: Electronic Medical Record, Communications technology, barriers and care facilitators.