A roadmap to pre-implementation of electronic health record: the key step to success

Initial attempts are made to implement electronic health record (EHR) in Iran, the present study aim is developing a proper roadmap to EHR in pre-implementation phase by expert views on the matter.

An initial framework was developed for preimplementation based on reviewing literature on EHR implementation and descriptive-comparative with qualitative approaches in five countries. A questionnaire was designed in several sections using 47 main topics associated with pre-implementation. Cronbach's alpha 0.89 confirmed the reliability of the data. Expert views were used to score each topic based on Likert scale and opinions were collected through Delphi. Then results analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis method.

Framework of EHR pre-implementation roadmap was presented in four phases: preliminaries, assessment, planning, and method of choosing system vendors. Priorities in each part were determined and reflected in the roadmap using expert views, analyses, and requirements of each phase. It seems strategic planning at different levels; assessment of needs; providing and managing financial resources, setting standards; examining the existing condition was determined as highest priorities in above phases.

For successful implementation, developing national carefully-designed and well-documented EHR pre-implementing roadmap, Based on country situation, from strategic to operation level is necessary.