Electronic Health Information Management System and Quality Healthcare Delivery: Experiences of Healthcare Providers in a Quasi-Government Health Facility in Ghana: Electronic Health Information Management System and Quality Healthcare Delivery

Douglas Forkuoh; Peter Twum; Emmanuel Appiah-Brempong; Ernest Ekutor; Hasehni Vampere

doi:10.4314/ah1cpt40

Authors

Douglas Forkuoh Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0028-703X
Peter Twum Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2506-1497
Emmanuel Appiah-Brempong https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7889-4409
Ernest Ekutor https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5110-1824
Hasehni Vampere Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8012-6150

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4314/ah1cpt40

Keywords:

Electronic Health Information, Data Management, Healthcare delivery, Ghana

Abstract

The transition from paper-based health records to Electronic Health Information Management Systems (EHIMS) addresses significant challenges such as data inaccessibility and transcription errors, and enhance clinical decision-making. However, the healthcare providers’ experiences with the EHIMS and its impact on healthcare delivery is not adequately investigated using qualitative methods in Ghana. This study’s aim was to explore healthcare providers’ experiences and the impact of EHIMS on healthcare delivery at the Kwadaso Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Hospital. A qualitative phenomenological case study design was used in this study. Fourteen (14) healthcare professionals, including clinicians, administrators, and health information managers, were purposively sampled. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed thematically using both deductive and inductive coding approaches. Findings revealed that EHIMS improved the efficiency of healthcare delivery, enhanced the accessibility and security of patient information, and reduced medical errors. The system also fostered better interdepartmental collaboration and strengthened patient-provider relationships. However, challenges such as staff adaptation difficulties were also noted. This study recommended for a continuous training, system optimisation, and broader implementation of EHIMS to be prioritised to enhance healthcare service delivery in Ghana.

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Author Biographies

Douglas Forkuoh , Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi

Mr. Douglas Forkuoh holds a Master of Philosophy in Health Systems Research and Management from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). Professionally, he is a health tutor and health information officer. He is dedicated to addressing health and education disparities among vulnerable populations. His expertise encompasses both qualitative and quantitative research methods, with a focus on electronic health records and the social determinants of health equity.
Peter Twum, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi

Peter Twum is a lecturer at the department of Health Policy, Management and Economics in the School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi-Ghana. He worked for the Ministry of Health, Ghana, as a tutor at the College of Health Kintampo, where he trained middle level manpower for the Ghana Health Service. Dr. Twum took part in the writing of Ghana Mental Health Bill which gave birth to the establishment of Ghana Mental Health Authority. Currently, he is the Coordinator for the Department of Health Policy Management and Economics, KNUST
Emmanuel Appiah-Brempong

Emmanuel Appiah-Brempong is a Senior Lecturer of Public Health (Health Promotion) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and development consultant with both national and international experience. He is a member of the International Union of Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE), the Association of Commonwealth Scholars, the International Society of Global Health (ISoGH) and a DANIDA Fellow. Emmanuel has advance experience with both quantitative and qualitative research approaches and does research in areas including non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention, health impact assessment (HIA), health behaviour modelling, social & behaviour change communication (SBCC), WASH and health, health systems analysis, and mental health promotion.
Ernest Ekutor

Ernest Ekutor is a PhD student and a public health researcher at the School of Public Health (SPH) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). He also serves as a resource person for a MasterCard-sponsored Diploma in Health Communication program at the Department of Health Promotion and Disability Studies, SPH-KNUST. He has extensive knowledge in qualitative and quantitative studies, with research focused on the Social Determinants of Health and health equity. His work includes Health Needs Assessment (HNA), Health Impact Assessment (HIA), Behaviour Change modelling, and social & behaviour change communication (SBCC). Additionally, he has a special interest in health literacy.
Hasehni Vampere, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Hasehni Vampere is an Assistant Lecturer in the department of Health Promotion and Disability Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Public Health at KNUST and have keen interest in researching on the health of vulnerable populations especially persons with disabilities. He teaches at the Center for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies, KNUST; and is currently the project coordinator for the undergraduate programs in the department.

Electronic Health Information Management System and Quality Healthcare Delivery: Experiences of Healthcare Providers in a Quasi-Government Health Facility in Ghana