RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Electronic medical records and health care promotion in Saudi Arabia
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 583
OP 589
DO 10.15537/smj.2020.6.25115
VO 41
IS 6
A1 Sana A. AlSadrah
YR 2020
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/41/6/583.abstract
AB A few decades ago, the government of Saudi Arabia introduced electronic medical records (EMRs) in some health care facilities. However, the progress in adopting these systems on a national level was slow. In 2008, the Saudi Ministry of Health started an initiative to expand and optimize the use of EMRs in governmental health care institutions. However, some obstacles facing this ambitious plan remain, including negative attitudes of some health care professionals toward EMR systems. Other barriers include poor computer literacy, lack of system customization to hospital needs, and poor support and training from information technology (IT) personnel. Identifying and addressing these barriers is essential for the optimal application of EMR systems in all health care facilities. In this review, the author focused on the benefits of widespread adoption of EMRs in Saudi Arabia, the perceptions of health care professionals, and the challenges and barriers toward improved implementation of this technology.