Affiliations: Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems
Engineering, Haking Wong Building, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong
Kong, China | Health Informatics Department, The Hong Kong Hospital
Authority, Hong Kong, China
Note: [] Corresponding author: Calvin Or, Department of Industrial and
Manufacturing, Systems Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Room 8-7,
Haking Wong Building, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China. Tel.: +852 2859 2587; Fax:
+852 2858 6535; E-mail: klor@hku.hk
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Use of electronic medical records (EMR) has the
potential to offer quality and safety benefits, but without the adoption of the
technology, the benefits will not be realized. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the factors perceived as
relevant by private physicians when considering EMR adoption. METHODS: A qualitative pre-implementation study was conducted using
semi-structured, face to face interviews to explore the perspectives of
physicians (n=16) operating in private clinics on the factors affecting their
adoption of EMR. A multilevel, work system approach and the
immersion/crystallization data analysis technique guided the researchers in
examining the data, identifying patterns and key themes, and extracting
representative quotes to illustrate these themes. RESULTS: The major factors associated with EMR adoption, which
relate to the five categories of a work system, were system usefulness; user
interface design; technical support; cost; system reliability; the privacy,
confidentiality, and security of patient information; physical space in the
clinic; data migration process; adverse work-related factors; and the computer
and systems skills of physicians. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-implementation identification of factors important
to adoption can allow system developers to focus proactively on these factors
when developing the system and its implementation strategies, to maximize the
likelihood of successful introduction.
Keywords: Health IT adoption, physician, primary care, work system approach
