Understanding Nurses' perspectives on electronic health records in Egypt: Insights from a cross-sectional study

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and acceptance of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) among nurses in Egypt.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving 1217 nurses from 33 public and private hospitals. Data were collected using a self-administered online questionnaire, which assessed knowledge, attitudes, and acceptance of EHRs. The data were analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation and binary logistic regression.

Results

Significant positive correlations were identified between nurses' knowledge and attitudes towards EHRs (r = 0.72, p < 0.001), knowledge and acceptance (r = 0.67, p < 0.001), and attitudes and acceptance (r = 0.79, p < 0.001). Key predictors of EHR acceptance included higher education (postgraduate) (p = 0.004), good computer skills (p < 0.001), satisfactory knowledge (p < 0.001), and positive attitudes (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Nurses' knowledge and attitudes play a crucial role in their acceptance of EHRs. These findings underscore the importance of targeted education and skill development programs to support the effective implementation of EHR systems in Egyptian healthcare settings.

Implications to practice

Healthcare leaders and policymakers must champion the adoption of EHRs by creating policies that support their implementation. Creating a supportive environment that encourages the use of EHRs can significantly enhance their acceptance.