Electronic health records: Saudi physicians’ perspective

The health infrastructure of Saudi Arabia and its diagnostic, therapeutic and health prevention services have made important and increasing progress during the past decades. There is no less attention of the ICT use in health sector; however, this fold of interest did not practically reached the level of progress and advancement. In this research the aim is to explore the perception of Saudi physicians towards electronic health records (EHR) including use, attitude and challenges. A literature search related to physicians´ use and perception of EHR is presented in conjunction with interviews. Physicians highlighted the value of accurate data organisation and archiving files, which facilitate better documentation of medical cases and, hence, data reading accuracy. Physicians attributed the slow spread of EHR in hospitals to the slow actions taken by hospital managers and decision-makers. In conflict, IT/Record Managers believe that the successful implementation of health information technologies depends on physicians´ readiness and openness, and consider gradual and not radical change. Physicians viewed the issue of EHR implementation as one of national concern and thought the adoption and implementation of the system should take a national dimension.