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Review
. 2023 Jan 11:12:e40721.
doi: 10.2196/40721.

Electronic Medical Record System Use and Determinants in Ethiopia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Masresha Derese Tegegne  1 , Sisay Maru Wubante  1 , Mulugeta Hayelom Kalayou  2 , Mequannent Sharew Melaku  1 , Binyam Tilahun  1 , Tesfahun Melese Yilma  1 , Hiwote Simane Dessie  3
Affiliations
Review

Electronic Medical Record System Use and Determinants in Ethiopia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Masresha Derese Tegegne et al. Interact J Med Res. .

Abstract

Background: The strategic plan of the Ethiopian Ministry of Health recommends an electronic medical record (EMR) system to enhance health care delivery and streamline data systems. However, only a few exhaustive systematic reviews and meta-analyses have been conducted on the degree of EMR use in Ethiopia and the factors influencing success. This will emphasize the factors that make EMR effective and increase awareness of its widespread use among future implementers in Ethiopia.

Objective: This study aims to determine the pooled estimate of EMR use and success determinants among health professionals in Ethiopia.

Methods: We developed a protocol and searched PubMed, Web of Sciences, African Journals OnLine, Embase, MEDLINE, and Scopus to identify relevant studies. To assess the quality of each included study, we used the Joanna Briggs Institute quality assessment tool using 9 criteria. The applicable data were extracted using Microsoft Excel 2019, and the data were then analyzed using Stata software (version 11; StataCorp). The presence of total heterogeneity across included studies was calculated using the index of heterogeneity I2 statistics. The pooled size of EMR use was estimated using a random effect model with a 95% CI.

Results: After reviewing 11,026 research papers, 5 papers with a combined total of 2439 health workers were included in the evaluation and meta-analysis. The pooled estimate of EMR usage in Ethiopia was 51.85% (95% CI 37.14%-66.55%). The subgroup study found that the northern Ethiopian region had the greatest EMR utilization rate (58.75%) and that higher (54.99%) utilization was also seen in publications published after 2016. Age groups <30 years, access to an EMR manual, EMR-related training, and managerial support were identified factors associated with EMR use among health workers.

Conclusions: The use of EMR systems in Ethiopia is relatively low. Belonging to a young age group, accessing an EMR manual, receiving EMR-related training, and managerial support were identified as factors associated with EMR use among health workers. As a result, to increase the use of EMRs by health care providers, it is essential to provide management support and an EMR training program and make the EMR manual accessible to health professionals.

Keywords: EHR; EMR; Ethiopia; determinants; electronic health record; electronic medical record system; health information technology; health professional; medical record; systematic review; utilization.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) flow chart displaying the selection process of included studies.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Forest plot displaying a pooled estimate of electronic medical record use among health professionals in Ethiopia. ES: Effect Size.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Funnel plot to test publication bias of the 5 included studies.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Forest plot displaying the association between younger age group and use of electronic medical records among health professionals in Ethiopia. ES: Effect Size.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Forest plot displaying the association between availability of electronic medical record (EMR) manual and the use of EMR among health professionals in Ethiopia. ES: Effect Size.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Forest plot displaying the association between electronic medical record (EMR) training and the use of EMR among health professionals in Ethiopia. ES: Effect Size.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Forest plot displaying the association between availability of management support and the use of electronic medical records among health professionals in Ethiopia. ES: Effect Size.
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