Utilization of Electronic Medical Record System (EMRS) by Record Officers in Federal University Teaching Hospitals in North-West, Nigeria

Abstract

This work discusses the Awareness and use of Electronic Record Management Systems (EMRS)
by Medical Record Officers in Federal University Teaching Hospitals in North West States of
Nigeria. The aim of this study is; To determine the current level of awareness regarding ERMS
among Medical Records Officers Federal University Teaching Hospitals (FUTHs) in North-West,
Nigeria (NWN), To identify the strategies or training programs may facilitate a more
comprehensive awareness and utilization of EMRS by Medical Records Officers in FUTHs in NWN
and To reveal the primary challenges faced in effective utilization of ERMS by Medical Records
Officers FUTHs in NWN. The study used Quantitative Methodology and Cross-Sectional Survey
Design to carried out the research among various Medical Professionals using a sampling frame
obtained from a list of some selected Hospitals located in and around Zaria Metropolis Kaduna
State, Nigeria, from 2022-2023. Proportionate Stratified Sampling technique was employed in this
research. The study reveal that a high percentage of Medical Record Officers are aware of ERMS,
utilize it daily, and believe it positively impacts search and retrieval, patient diagnosis, and recordkeeping in their healthcare facility. It found that Medical Record Officers in FUTHs are
overwhelmingly in support of in-house training and awareness campaigns for electronic records.
They are divided on reducing the number of record systems. The study concluded that while
Medical Record Officers are generally aware of the existence of ERMS, several challenges and
barriers hinder their effective utilization. The study recommended that FUTHs should develop and
execute training programs that cover all aspects of ERMS to increase awareness and proficiency
among Medical Records Officers in FUTHs. This training should encompass system navigation,
data entry, retrieval, and security measures.