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. 2023 Feb;30(1):e100699.
doi: 10.1136/bmjhci-2022-100699.

Health professionals' routine practice documentation and its associated factors in a resource-limited setting: a cross-sectional study

Addisalem Workie Demsash  1 , Sisay Yitayih Kassie  2 , Abiy Tasew Dubale  2 , Alex Ayenew Chereka  2 , Habtamu Setegn Ngusie  3 , Mekonnen Kenate Hunde  4 , Milkias Dugassa Emanu  5 , Adamu Ambachew Shibabaw  2 , Agmasie Damtew Walle  2
Affiliations

Health professionals' routine practice documentation and its associated factors in a resource-limited setting: a cross-sectional study

Addisalem Workie Demsash et al. BMJ Health Care Inform. 2023 Feb.

Abstract

Objectives: Documenting routine practice is significant for better diagnosis, treatment, continuity of care and medicolegal issues. However, health professionals' routine practice documentation is poorly practised. Therefore, this study aimed to assess health professionals' routine practice documentation and associated factors in a resource-limited setting.

Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study design was used from 24 March up to 19 April 2022. Stratified random sampling and a pretested self-administered questionnaire were used among 423 samples. Epi Info V.7.1 and STATA V.15 software were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. Descriptive statistics and a logistic regression model were employed to describe the study subjects and to measure the strength of association between dependent and independent variables, respectively. A variable with a p value of <0.2 in bivariate logistic regression was considered for multivariable logistic regression. In multivariable logistic regression, ORs with 95% CIs and a p value of <0.05 were considered to determine the strength of association between dependent and independent variables.

Results: Health professionals' documentation practice was 51.1% (95% CI: 48.64 to 53.1). Lack of motivation (adjusted OR (AOR): 0.41, 95% CI: 0.22 to 0.76), good knowledge (AOR: 1.35, 95% CI: 0.72 to 2.97), taking training (AOR: 4.18, 95% CI: 2.99 to 8.28), using electronic systems (AOR: 2.19, 95% CI: 1.36 to 3.28), availability of standard documentation tools (AOR: 2.45, 95% CI: 1.35 to 4.43) were statistically associated factors.

Conclusions: Health professionals' documentation practice is good. Lack of motivation, good knowledge, taking training, using electronic systems and the availability of documentation tools were significant factors. Stakeholders should provide additional training, and encourage professionals to use an electronic system for documentation practices.

Keywords: BMJ health informatics; data management; documentation; electronic health records; evidence-based nursing.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Sampling procedures of study participant selection. HC, health centres.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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