Volume 5, Issue 7, July – 2020 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology

ISSN No:-2456-2165

Perception of Health Information Management

Professionals on the Importance of Computer
System in Health Information Management in
Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital, Ile- Ife,
Osun State, Nigeria
Ayodele Kolawole Musa1 Ogbonna Mary Aina,2 Ojo Phebean Opeyemi3
1-2
Department of Health Information Management, College of Health Sciences and Technology,
Ijero-Ekiti. Ekiti –State, Nigeria.
3
Department of Computer Science, College of Health Sciences and Technology, Ijero-Ekiti. Ekiti –State, Nigeria.

Abstract:- Healthcare system in this contemporary time I. INTRODUCTION

is moving towards digitalization with respect to
management of patients’ health information, this is Health Information Technology (HIT) involves
however pertinent to achieve improved healthcare dimension of information and communication technologies
quality, Information and Communication Technology that are expedient for collection, transmission, displaying
(ICT) in hospital settings. and saving the patient information. [1]

The process therefore requires migrating from Computers are one of most veritable tools with high
paper records to Electronic Health Records (EHRs) level of accuracy, speed, updating information and presence
particularly in Africa where it has been a lingering of world wide web. The knowledge of computer science
challenge. However, adopting technology in the remains vital part of existence as they are being used on
management of patient records will provide more daily basis as exigency demands. [2]
accurate and details patient’s profile. This study
therefore investigated perceptions of health Information In the past, role of computer science in hospital setting
Management Professionals on the importance of and among public health professionals were not prominent.
computer system in health information management in [3]
Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital ,Ile-Ife,
Osun- State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was However, in recent times, technology has been
adopted and thirty (30) Health Information prominent and is at its peak, every field is therefore
Management Professionals were randomly selected influenced by computer application and health information
from Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital. Management in hospital setting is therefore paying a
pivotal role in efficient Patient management care. [4]
The result revealed that majority of Health
Information Management Professionals agree that However, the role of computer science cannot be
computer science is of high importance in Health overemphasised as it is required for the formation and
Information Management as it was seen as critically maintenance of patients’ record important in health
important for effective clinical documentation and surveillance and also pertinent to Health Information
patients’ management care. It was recommended System as it is required in explaining geographical
among others that governments at all level should Information system and Electronic medical records.
provide adequate and updated facilities for hospitals to
enhance effective Electronic Health Records (EHRs) Computer Science is also being used in statistical
with required training for Health Information analysis of various data and hence enhances health
Management Professionals. professionals to be innovative and contend with
contemporary challenges. [5]
Keywords:- Perception, Health Information Management,
Computer Science, Professionals Importance, Osun-state. Information and communication technology (ICT) is
mostly used as an extended synonym for information
technology [6]. It is a more specific term that emphasizes
the role of unified communications and the integration of
communications. It comprises of computing technology,
the Internet and other accessories which enable users to

IJISRT20JUL353 www.ijisrt.com 414

Volume 5, Issue 7, July – 2020 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
access, store, transmit, and manipulate information.  Research Questions
Cruickshank [7] established that peoples’ attitude towards In order to achieve the objectives of this study,
computer and computerization becomes more favourable as following are research questions:
their experience of computers and computer technologies  How critical is electronic health information needed in
increases. In line with this assertion, Fairley [8] maintained meeting your organization goals as Health Information
that the rapid advances in userfriendly interfaces of the management Professional?
computer have lessened the need to know the intricacies of  How important is computer system to you as Health
how the machines work. In the same vein,, the Internet is a Information Management Professionals?
global system of interconnected computer networks that  How can you rate your performance in relation to
uses the standard internet guidelines for billions of users Electronic Health Record as Health Information
[9]. Equally, it depicts history with the development of management Professional?
electronic computers in the 1950s and was first introduced  What is your perception about computer application as
to the public by the University of Califonia Los angeles Health Information management Professional?
[10]  What are the barriers to the implementation Electronic
Health Records in your institution (EHR )?
It is equally worthy to know that application of Health
Information Technology minimises medical errors cost and III. METHODOLOGY
paper work. It also increases efficiency, quality of health
care and empowerment of patients and clinicians [11] The Research work was conducted at Obafemi
Awolowo Teaching Hospital Ile-Ife, Osun- State Nigeria.
However, despite all these advantages, acceptance of Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the
health Information Technology by health professionals study. Data was generated from the respondents on their
must be of paramount. Overtime findings reveals that in perception on the importance of computer science in Health
most countries, acceptance of computer science among Information Management. The research design is concerned
health professionals was very low as particularly observed with the totality of the plan used in executing a research
among aging groups [12] .Hence, need to investigate into study. It lays out the plan for investigation the research
the perception of Health Care workers particularly Health questions and details of the study which flows from the
Information Professionals on the importance of computer specific questions asked. [13]
science in securing effective Electronic Health Records in
health institutions as concern developing countries. Thirty (30) Health Information Management
professionals were purposely selected for the study which
II. AIM OF THE STUDY comprised of males and females
Both National and International development  Methods of Data Collection
advocate for accessibility to Healthcare information , Data collected was analysed using descriptive
However, implementation of Health Information statistics. The descriptive statistics was used to present
Technology (HIT) has therefore become indispensable details of the demographics using frequencies, percentages,
through health care professionals particularly Health means and standard deviations. How can you rate your
Information Management. In Nigeria few studies exist that performance in relation to Electronic Health Record as
illustrate the perception of Health Information Management Health Information management Professionals
professionals on the adoption of Technology. Therefore,
this study will:  Ethical Consideration
 assess knowledge utilization and perceptions of After the participants were duly informed of the
computer science application among Health purpose and users of the study, their right to either stay or
Information Management professionals. withdraw from the study and after assurances of utmost
 provide the opportunity for healthcare organizations to confidentiality of data to be obtained, informed consent was
improve quality of care and patient safety through received from them.
effective Electronic Health records.
 provide comprehensive, reliable, relevant, accessible, IV. RESULTS
and timely patient information to each member of the
healthcare team Age range Frequency percentage
 make the information collection more efficient, 21-30 10 33.33%
readable, and more easily disseminated 31-40 15 50%
 reduce human error in the documentation of patient 41-50 5 16.67%
information in Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital Total 30 100%
Ile-Ife, Osun- State Nigeria. Table 1:- Age Range of the Respondents

IJISRT20JUL353 www.ijisrt.com 415

Volume 5, Issue 7, July – 2020 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Table 1 shows 33.3% of the respondents are SEX Frequency Percentage
between the ages of 21-30years, 50% of the respondents are Male 25 83.33%
between the ages of 31-40 while 16.67% respondents are Female 5 16.67%
between 41-50 years. It shows that higher percentages of Total 30 100
the respondents are in their active working group which Table 2:- Gender Distribution of the Respondents
may enhance their suitability to adapt to computer
application. Table 2 shows the distribution of the respondents by
gender, 83.3% of the respondents are male while 16.67%
are female, it shows that male are far more than the females
among the respondents.

Item Critically important Important Neutral Low important Not important Total
Clinical quality 10 (33.33%) 5 (16.67)% 3(10%) 2(6.67%) 5(16.67%) 30(100 %)
Patience service 15 (50)% 4 (13,33) % 1(3.33%) 6 (20%) 4 (13.33%) 30 (100 %)
Operation service 8(26.67%) 8(26.67%) 4 (13.33) 2 (6.67%) 8 (26.67%) 30 (100 %)
Table 3:- Respondents’ answer on how critical is electronic health information needed in meeting your organization goals as
Health Information management Professional?

In table above, majority of the respondents opined important in clinical quality, 50% agree is critically needed
that electronic health information is critically important in in patience service while 26.67% agree is critically
meeting organisation goals. 33.33% opine is critically important in operation service.

Level of importance Respondent Percentage

Not important 6 20%
Very Important 24 80%
Total 30 100%
Table 4:- shows respondents on how important is computer system in Health Information Management

The table above reveals the perception of the respondents on how important computer science in Health Information
Management, higher percentage of the respondents (80%) opined that computer application very important while only 20% of the
respondents stated that computer system is not important in Health Information Management.

Performance Respondent Percentage

Low 6 20%
High 24 80%
Total 30 100%
Table 5:- Respondents rating their performance in relation to Electronic Health Record as Health Information management
Professional.

In table above, respondents rated their performances in relation to Electronic Health Record (HER), it shows that majority of
the respondents (80%) rated their performances high which depicts that most of the Health Information management Professional
are already adapted to computer application in Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital Ile-Ife, Osun- State Nigeria.

Acceptance of EHR Respondent Percentage

Easy 10 33.33%
Difficult 5 16.67%
Satisfying 10 33.33%
frustrating 5 16.67%
Table 6:- Respondents’ perception about computer application as Health Information Management Professional

Table above reveal respondents’ perception about computer application as Health Information Management Professional,
33.33% of the respondents perceived that computer application is easy and equally satisfying respectively however, 16.67%
opined that computer application is difficult and frustrating equally. It can be deduced that majority of the Health Information
Management Professionals are adapted to Electronic Health Records at Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital Ile-Ife, Osun-
State Nigeria.

IJISRT20JUL353 www.ijisrt.com 416

Volume 5, Issue 7, July – 2020 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Not a barrier Minor barrier Major barrier Total
Lack of Computer skills 15 (50%) 10 (33.33%) 5 (16.67%) 30
Lack of uniform industry 9 (30%) 16 (53.3 %) 5 (16.67%) 30
standards
Poor administrative 10(33.33%) 18 (60%) 2 (6.66 %) 30
policy
Inadequate Training 8 (26.67%) 12 (40%) 10 (33.33%) 30
Table 7:- shows respondents’ barriers to the implementation of Electronic Health Records (EHR)

The table above shows that respondents’ perception of as a barrier in achieving effective Electronic Heath Record
barriers to implementation of Electronic Health Records, in the study area.
It reveals that large percentage (60%) of the respondents
perceive poor administrative policy as a minor barrier to VI. CONCLUSION
implementation of Electronic Health records. Equally,
about 16.67% and 33.33% of the respondents perceived The Electronic Health Records (HER) provides the
that lack of computer skills and inadequate training are essential infrastructure required to enable the adoption and
major barriers to Electronic Health records in Tertiary effective use of new healthcare modalities such as
Health Institution. However majority of the respondents integrated care, evidenced-based medicine, computer-based
(50%) perceived computer skills not a barrier which depicts decision support, care planning and outcomes analysis.
that majority of Health Management Professionals in the Therefore, the benefits that support implementation of an
institution are computer literate. EHR are clear, there are still barriers too, therefore the
concept is still not accepted. However, this could also be
V. DISCUSSION said of almost every other area of positive change and
improvement within healthcare system. There must be
The study assess the perception of the Health more involvement by the government and the private sector
Information management professionals on the importance to make changes where possible to instigate, motivate, and
of computer application in Health information system, provide incentives to accelerate the development of
however research questions were raised to achieve the solutions to overcome the barriers. There are obviously
target objectives. The respondents were asked how critical advantages and disadvantages to both the paper medical
is Electronic Health Record (EHR) needed in meeting their record and the Electronic Health Records (EHR).
organization goals as Health Information management
Professional, larger percentage of the respondents opined The study therefore reveals that knowledge and level
that Electronic Health Record is critically needed for of adoption of computer science among Health information
Clinical quality, Patience service and Operation service. Management Professionals in the institution was
This position agrees with Chaudhry et.al (2006) [14] who considerably good, however, rate of technology knowledge
reported that technology has been adjudged by both health and adaptation need to be improved. This may be due to
care experts and health care consumers as having critical lack of structured training and computer accessibility. The
roles to play in the transformation of healthcare. institution must provide computer access to staff. Also by
reinforcement of educational infrastructures, provide the
Equally, 80% of the respondents agree that computer possibility of increasing knowledge of health information
is very important in Health Information Management, this technology among Health Information Professionals.
equally upholds the findings of Ibrahim et.al 2015 [15] who
reported that virtually all the participants across healthcare RECOMMENDATIONS
professions indicated that computer application is very
important in management of health information to  Education on Electronic Health Information (EHR)is
improve medical care quality. Also, Strivastava et al. in required for training of staff to allow them to know the
2014 [16] stated that studies among resident doctors, nature of EHR itself
dentist, medical laboratory scientists and students revealed  Computerization should only be made a priority as it
that they have good knowledge about the importance of supports the overall objectives of the Health institution
computer application in health information. Similarly  There must be more involvement by the government
respondents who are Health Information Management and the private sector to make changes possible to
Professionals rated their performance high which agrees instigate, motivate, and provide incentives to accelerate
with Ibrahim et al 2015 [15] who stated that health care the development of solutions to overcome the barriers
professionals were advance in the use of electronic mail, of computerization of Health information
internet, use of word processor i.e. Microsoft Word in
which Health Information Management Professionals are ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
leading. This equally supported the findings of this study in
which higher percentage of the respondents find computer Appreciation goes to all who contributed to the
application easy and satisfying. However, in contrast to success of this article.
most literature, acquisition of computer skills is perceived

IJISRT20JUL353 www.ijisrt.com 417

Volume 5, Issue 7, July – 2020 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
REFERENCES [15]. Ibrahim Taiwo Adeleke, Adejoke Abiola Salami,
Moses Achinbee, Tony Chucks Anamah,
[1]. J. Murray. , (2014) . Cloud network architecture and Ibrahim Babaminin Zakari, Muhammad Hassan
ICT. Information and communication technology. Wasagi. ICT knowledge, Utilization and
Available at: Perception among Healthcare Providers at National
http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/modern- Hospital Abuja, Nigeria. American Journal of
networkarchitecture/ cloud-network-architecture- Health Research. Special Issue: Health Information
and-ict/. Accessed on: December 19 Technology in Developing Nations: Challenges
[2]. Virki T. (2008) Reuters: Computers in use pass 1 and Prospects Health Information Technology.
billion mark: Gartner. c. [Last accessed on 2013 Vol. 3, No. 1-1, 2015, pp. 47-53.
Oct 28]. Available [16]. SrivaSTava TK, Waghmare LS, Jagzape AT, Rawekar
from: http://www.reuters.com/article/technologynews/ AT, Quazi NZ, Mishra VP. Role of information
idus communication technology in higher education:
[3]. Friede A, O'Carroll PW. (1996). CDC and ATSDR Learners perspective in rural medical schools. Journal
electronic information resources for health of clinical and diagnostic research: JCDR.
officers. J Public Health Manage Pract. 2:10–24 2014;8(6):XC01.
[4]. Friede A, Blum HL, McDonald M. (1995). Public
health informatics: How information-age
technology can strengthen public health. Annu
Rev Public Health. 16:239–52
[5]. Wallace R, Doebbeling B. (2010). Investigation of an
epidemic. In: Maxcy RL, editor. Public Health
and Preventive Medicine. 15th ed. New York:
McGraw Hills Companies;. pp. 10–24
[6]. Greenes RA, Shortliffe EH. (1990) Medical
informatics: An emerging academic discipline and
institutional priority. JAMA. 1;263:1114–
20. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
[7]. P. J. Cruickshank. Computer in medicine: patients’
attitudes. Journal of Royal College of General
Practitioners.1984; 34: 77 – 80.
[8]. J. W. Fairley. Computers in medicine. Journal of
Royal Society of Medicine.1991; 84: 566 –
567.
[9]. Ndunagu, JN. Website Design & Programming.
National Open University of Nigeria (Course
Material).2010; pp21.
[10]. History of the Internet. Available at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Internet.htm.
Accessedon: January 10th 2013
[11]. Ehrenfeld JM, Cannesson M. Monitoring
Technologies in Acute Care Environments: A
Comprehensive Guide to Patient Monitoring
Technology: Springer; 2013
[12]. Ahlan AR, Ahmad BIe. User Acceptance of Health
Information Technology (HIT) in Developing
Countries: A Conceptual Model. Procedia
Technology. 2014;16:1287-96.
[13]. Anderson N. 2009. Implementation Guide for CDA
Release 2 : Quality Reporting Document Architecture
(QRDA), Release 1, April 16, 2009, HL7
International
http://www.h17.org/documentcenter/ballots/2008s
ep/downloads/CDAR2 QRDA RI DSTU
2009APR.zips
[14]. B. Chaudhry, J. Wang, S. Wu, et al. Systematic
review: impact of health information technology on
quality, efficiency and costs of medical care. Ann
Intern Med. 2006; 144:742-752.

IJISRT20JUL353 www.ijisrt.com 418