Electronic medical records (EMR) are extensively used in developed countries to manage patient records and facilitate consultations and follow-up of treatment. This has resulted in centralised databases where different services and clinicians can quickly access patient data to support healthcare delivery. However, adoption and usage of EMR in developing countries is not common and, in most cases, non-existent. Clinicians are dependent on patients keeping their own records manually with no centralised database to manage and control the patient medical history. The key objective of this study was to investigate the propensity of clinicians and senior management personnel in healthcare facilities to adopt EMR and evaluate the contextual factors that impact or impede adoption. Using Davis's technology adoption model extended with other factors, this study determined if contextual or situational factors are associated with barriers that impede adoption of EMRs in developing countries. Using a cross-sectional quantitative research approach, a questionnaire was designed to collect data across four states in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Stratified random sampling was used to select healthcare facilities that participated in the survey and selection of respondents from each healthcare facility. Data was collected by trained research assistants and a total of 1,177 valid responses were received and analysed using factor analysis and multiple regression analysis. The results from the analysis show that usefulness, critical success factors, awareness and relative advantage significantly influence clinicians' intention to adopt EMRs. Surprisingly, infrastructure availability was not statistically significant. Meanwhile, risk and data security both negatively influence adoption, indicating that user perception of risk and safety of their data decreases their propensity to adopt EMRs. The results from this study suggests that usefulness and anticipated success factors in facilitating operations within healthcare facilities have a great influence on user adoption of EMRs. Awareness, training and education of users on the effectiveness of EMRs and their usefulness will increase adoption. The results will be beneficial in helping government and healthcare leaders formulate policies that will guide and support adoption of EMR. Other policy recommendations and suggestions for future research were also proffered.
Context:Large breast is a major problem because of associated symptomatology and aesthetic concerns. Reduction mammoplasty (RM) resolves the symptom and at the same time improves the aesthetic appearance of the breast, hence improving self-esteem and social integration.Aims:To describe the pattern of RM in a hospital in the developing world and its impact on postgraduate surgical training.Settings and Design:A retrospective review of all the RMs done in the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu (a major plastic surgery training center in Nigeria) over a ten-year period (2001–2010), in the developing country of Nigeria.Subjects and Methods:All RMs done in the hospital were reviewed after retrieving their records from operation register and medical records department. Fifteen (15) cases were retrieved and analyzed.Data Analysis:Data was analyzed with Microsoft excel 2007.Results:Average age of female patients who had RM was 26.5 years and 83.3% were single. The most common complaint was abnormally large breast (macromastia). Inferior pedicle technique was commonly used.Conclusions:The results of RM are remarkable as it impact positively on the quality of life of the patients. However, the level of awareness about the availability of this service is still low in the region as shown by few cases done over the period of review and this impacts negatively on the training. The need for public awareness cannot be overemphasized.
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