FACTORS THAT AFFECTING COLLABORATION AMONG PHYSICIANS USING HEALTHCARE INFORMATION SYSTEM IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Abstract

To analyze and propose the factors that affect the current levels of collaboration which exist among physicians in sharing healthcare information in the selected hospitals in developing countries using HISs. A quantitative method of enquiry was used for this study in the two public hospitals in Selangor state in Malaysia, by using questionnaire instrument. The responses received and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS).Using the descriptive statistics (e.g., percentage, standard deviations, and means), and five point Likert scales in order to describe the features of data collection to analyze the factors that affect the collaboration among physicians in the selected hospitals. The result of the analysis showed the current level of collaboration among physicians within the hospitals with regard sharing information using HIS, which was very weak according to many factors. An analysis of the seven kinds of collaboration that exists among physicians was conducted and a mean score of 2.6130 was obtained reflecting minimal collaboration which in other words can be regarded as weak collaboration. The lack of collaboration was found to be as a result of lack of information distribution systems alongside the independent information technology support. In this study it was also found that collaboration occurred only in the form of regular verbal meetings with no form of data sharing through the use of the system. Low rating was also recorded for collaboration among physicians in terms of information sharing among hospitals for the purpose of improving medical research as well as medical activities. This implies the absence of an efficient information system which enhances data sharing within the hospitals and with other hospitals. Furthermore, the results imply that the real- time sharing of new activity in the hospital and with other hospitals through an information system is yet to be achieved. ©2018JASET, International Scholars and Researchers Association