Evolution - removing paper and digitising the hospital.

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Organizational Psychology
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Transitioning to Electronic Health Records (EHR) offers benefits like improved communication and reduced errors.
• Poorly managed EHR implementation can lead to staff frustration, patient care errors, and decreased patient-clinician interaction.
• Previous studies indicate potential drops in staff morale and clinician burnout during EHR adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To monitor staff morale within the Oral and Maxillofacial Department during the transition from paper to EHR.
• To gather feedback from staff regarding their experience with the new EHR system.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire-based study was conducted within the maxillofacial outpatients department.
• Data collection occurred regularly following Patient & Public Involvement consultation and research approval.
• Approximately 25 staff members responded to the questionnaire each collection period.

Main Results:

• Responses varied weekly based on job role and age, with minimal gender-based differences after the initial week.
• A small minority expressed a desire to revert to paper records, indicating general acceptance of the new system.
• Staff adaptation rates to the new technology differed significantly across individuals.

Conclusions:

• Staff adaptation to EHR systems is multifactorial and occurs at varying rates.
• Close monitoring during large-scale transitions is crucial for a smoother implementation.
• Proactive monitoring can help minimize staff burnout and ensure successful EHR adoption.