Electronic patient record: what makes care providers use it?

Despite the enormous progress that is made, many healthcare professionals still experience problems regarding patient information and patient records. For a long time the expectation is that an electronic patient record (EPR) will solve these problems. In this research the factors determining the adoption (i.e. acceptance and user satisfaction) of EPR’s by care providers are investigated. For this purpose the USE IT-model is constructed, which describes four determinants for the success or failure of ICT-innovations: relevance, requirements, resources and resistance. The four determinants are measured at the macro-level (organizational level) and at the micro-level (individual level). In this research a pre-evaluation is conducted for MS-care and stroke care. Also an EPR in a nursing home, and a Nursing Information System in a hospital are evaluated. The research revealed the micro-relevance is the decisive determinant for adoption of EPR’s by care providers. Resistance against an EPR is the result of lack of relevance, not meeting requirements, and insufficient resources. Complete, correct and accurate information, which is available anywhere and anytime, is the most relevant requirement of an EPR. However, care providers do not always experience the necessity to enter data immediately, correctly and completely. In order to implement an integrated care information system successfully, the integrated care must be based upon a national care standard and financed by integral funding. The results of the research are used to update the USE IT-model. The USE IT-model includes an interview-model and questionnaire to measure the four determinants.