Medical record abstraction in a hospital with paper-based records: experience of early career psychiatrists in northern Borneo

We used medical record abstraction to conduct research in a psychiatric hospital with paper-based medical records. The challenges we encountered included: the difficulty in retrieving files; the extensive effort and time needed to extract clinical information; the lack of a standardised documentation system of medical records; and the need for advanced computer literacy. To promote future research using electronic medical records, potential solutions include creating a registry of all patients receiving treatment, as well as equipping busy clinicians with computer skills.