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Abstract

The successful implementation of Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems is pivotal to improving healthcare service delivery in developing countries. This study evaluates the readiness of district hospitals in Ghana’s Upper West Region to adopt EHR systems, focusing on organizational, technical, and human resource factors. Using a descriptive cross-sectional design, the research sampled 395 healthcare workers and management staff from six district hospitals. The findings revealed that 74.9% of healthcare workers were ready to adopt EHR systems, while 100% of management staff expressed willingness to transition. However, significant barriers remain, particularly in technical and financial capacities. Key challenges included inadequate IT infrastructure (34.2%) and lack of standardized software (34.8%), exacerbated by financial constraints such as insufficient funding for staff (33.6%) and lack of budget planning (35.9%). A positive correlation was observed between organizational factors and worker readiness, with management support playing a crucial role in facilitating adoption. Conversely, technical and financial barriers were found to negatively impact readiness. These results underscore the need for continuous professional development, enhanced leadership, and targeted financial investment to overcome existing barriers. Addressing these challenges could not only facilitate the smooth transition to EHR systems but also significantly improve healthcare outcomes by enhancing data accuracy, efficiency, and patient care. This study advocates for a holistic, multi-faceted approach to EHR adoption, emphasizing the importance of policy-level interventions to bolster Ghana’s healthcare infrastructure.

Keywords

Electronic Health Records (EHR) Healthcare readiness Ghana Technical barriers Organizational support

Article Details

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite
Saanaa, D., Kansangabata, E. ., Bonnir, M. ., Mustapha , A. ., & Sule , S. . (2024). Assessing Readiness for Electronic Health Record Implementation in District Hospitals: A Case Study of Ghana’s Upper West Region: Assessing Readiness for Electronic Health Record Implementation in District Hospitals. Convergence Chronicles, 5(5), 93–109. https://doi.org/10.53075/Ijmsirq/6554566646
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