Implementation of a nationwide electronic health record (EHR)

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Information Systems Management
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• National electronic health record (EHR) systems are critical for modern healthcare infrastructure.
• Successful EHR implementation involves complex technical, organizational, and political challenges.
• Lessons learned from international experiences can inform future nationwide EHR deployments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify best practices in national electronic health record (EHR) system implementation.
• To explore expert knowledge on success factors and challenges in nationwide EHR system rollouts.
• To understand the pros and cons of various EHR implementation approaches.

Main Methods:

• An international survey was conducted with experts from 13 countries.
• Participants held key roles in their respective national EHR implementation processes.
• The methodology focused on understanding implementation nuances rather than direct comparison.

Main Results:

• The middle-out approach is the predominant EHR system implementation strategy.
• Political considerations are primary drivers for selecting specific implementation approaches.
• Stakeholder commitment is the most significant success factor for EHR implementation.
• Lack of support and resistance to change from healthcare professionals are critical failure factors.

Conclusions:

• Alignment between EHR system functionality and user requirements is essential.
• Understanding and mitigating resistance to change are vital for successful EHR adoption.
• International collaboration offers valuable insights into common EHR implementation barriers and successes.