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Abstract

This paper addresses the underlying factors of perceived usefulness of Electronic Health Records (EHR) and the key obstacles in a clinical setting from physicians' point of view, who are the main users of EHR. Secondary research methodology was employed, using thematic data analysis on data based on qualitative data from different healthcare environments, namely hospitals, clinics, and specialized practices. It studied how EHR systems are designed to conform to physicians’ clinical work flows and their specialties. Some key findings indicated that EHR were valuable for enhancing patient care coordination and lowering medication errors, but were at times vilified for problems with the same, including unwarranted documentation time, low customization, and poor connectivity with other health information systems. The study further indicated major variance depending on age, specialty as well as the working environment. System customization needs to be improved, interoperability enhanced, and better training provided to make sure EHR fulfill the practical requirements of physicians and physicians' perception of usefulness in clinical practice is increased.