Performance, Barriers, and Satisfaction of Healthcare Workers Toward Electronic Medical Records in Saudi Arabia: A National Multicenter Study

Background Electronic medical record (EMR) systems are nowadays available internationally, including in Saudi Arabia. Nevertheless, there are still many obstacles to overcome before their effective implementation. This cross-national study aimed to investigate the perceptions and practices of healthcare workers toward implemented EMR systems. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted across selected hospitals in the four cities of Al-Ahsa, Dammam, Medina, and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. Healthcare workers of all specialties were invited to participate in the study during the six-month study period from August 2019 to February 2020. The questionnaire was submitted online through institutional e-mails. Results The study included a total of 2684 healthcare providers. Almost half of the respondents (47.1%) were aged between 35 and 50 years. High experience with computer use was observed among 38.3% of them, while 54.3% attended EMR training activities. The performance scores of EMR’s compared to previous routines had a median of 24 (interquartile range {IQR} = 0-38). The satisfaction scores with EMR’s ranged between 16 and 80 with a median of 53 (IQR = 48-61). Older participants (>50 years), non-Saudis, and those who attended EMR training had statistically significant higher scores of both EMR performance and EMR satisfaction, (p<0.001). Those working in other medical specialties (not major) had statistically significant higher scores of EMR performance alone (p<0.001), while general practitioners (p<0.001) and females (p = 0.001) had statistically significant higher scores of EMR satisfaction alone. EMR systems’ positive impact on quality of care was the highest agreed-upon benefit reported, while the temporary loss of access to patient records if computers crashed or power failed was the highest agreed-upon barrier. Conclusions The attitude and satisfaction of healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia towards EMR systems are acceptable particularly among those who are older, non-Saudi, and have attended EMR training. Improved quality of care was the main noted benefit of EMR’s, followed by improved productivity. The temporary loss of access to patient records if computers crashed or power failed, followed by privacy and security concerns, was the major EMR barrier mentioned.