Healthcare Workers Experiences with Electronic Health Records in the Middle East: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: The constant upgrades and improvements in Electronic Health Record systems may influence the perceptions and views of healthcare workers. The dynamicity may affect the users' view of the culturally dynamic environment of the Middle East. 

Purpose: This study was conducted to assess the experiences of healthcare workers about the application of electronic health records in the Middle East.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted by searching articles from three online journal databases – PubMed Central, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar. The articles were scrutinized for quality before recording the data in the abstraction table.

Results: A total of 3456 were retrieved. However, only 13 articles met the inclusion criteria and were considered relevant. These studies were conducted in five countries in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. All the included articles applied quantitative research methodology. Two thematic outcomes were noted: the negative and positive experiences with Electronic Health Records and factors affecting health workers' experience with Electronic Health Records. The positive experience came from usability, ease of use, improvements in quality of care, time-saving, clinical workflow, data protection, and reduction in work. On the other hand, negative experiences were mainly attributed to time constraints and system breakdown. The experiences were affected by sociodemographic factors, knowledge, awareness, and training requirements.

Conclusion: Electronic Health Records elicit diverse perceptions that may affect their overall usefulness in patient care. Training should be done to improve its positive view.