JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Physicians rely on Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems to make informed decisions and deliver high-quality care. While the introduction of EHR systems has created significant opportunities for improving patient care, it has also introduced challenges related to information overload and increased cognitive demands.

Objective:

To assess physicians' perceptions of a newly implemented cross-institutional EHR system regarding 1) the quality, access, and presentation of patient data, and 2) the EHR's effectiveness in supporting co-operation and communication with patients.

Methods:

This study employed a cross-sectional mixed-methods descriptive research design. Data were gathered through a closed-ended questionnaire, participant observations, and interviews with physicians at a university hospital in central Norway, which transitioned to a new EHR system in November 2022. Qualitative data were gathered from September 2023 to January 2024, while quantitative data were collected from January to July 2024.

Results:

The quantitative data showed that most surgical and non-surgical physicians disagreed on the following: i) that the patient's current medication list is presented in a clear format, ii) that the system provides a comprehensive summary view of patients' health status, and iii) that the system supports co-operation and communications with patients. These results were supported by the qualitative data, indicating that the physicians stressed the necessity of improving the presentation and organization of data and voiced concerns about the overwhelming volume of information. However, physicians also emphasized the benefits of enhanced access to patient data, the usefulness of the timeline function for monitoring hospitalized patients, and the efficiency of communication among healthcare professionals through the chat function.

Conclusions:

This study reveals a complex landscape regarding physicians' experiences with the newly implemented cross-institutional EHR system. It emphasizes the need for improved organization and presentation of patient health data while also highlighting the positive impact of a cross-institutional EHR system on enhanced access to data. Furthermore, our qualitative findings also emphasize that enhancing system usability must be accompanied by comprehensive training on EHR usage to achieve meaningful use. Future evaluations of the EHR system should focus on examining its long-term effects on access to patient data. Clinical Trial: Not applicable