Application of Electronic Health Records in Polyclinics: Barriers & Benefits

Electronic Health Records (EHRs) is one of many enlargements in health informatics. It is a computerized system to collect, store, and display patient information. Although with the many benefits, many barriers affect the implementation of these systems. Such barriers can be technical, financial, organizational, individual, or even legal. This study aims to identify the important barriers associated with the implementation of EHR in polyclinics and to measure the perception of healthcare staff and their knowledge about this system. A self-prepared modified questionnaire and 100 participants were involved in this study. The questionnaire was composed of three sections: section (A) was concerned with demographic data, Section (B) was related to the knowledge/attitude and the candidates' perception towards EHR, and whereas Section (C) was focused on the practical implementation of the e-health record such as what volunteer's perception about the benefits and concerns of the implementation of the system. There were different opinions, views, and perceptions among the health care staff who participated in the study. However, there is a general agreement among all participants to the factors that delay the implementation of the EHRs system in Libya. The results show a high cost of adopting EHRs, lack of experience with the use of computers, security concerns regarding the use of EHR systems, resistance to change and adopt new technology to be significant barriers when it comes to EHRs implementation and adoption.