A comparative study in the diffusion of information and communication technologies in managing medical records in Kenya

Abstract

Medical records in hospitals depends on information which is stored in medical records.unfortunately in many hospitals in kenya the effective management of records is hampered by several factors,the main one being inadequate application of systems. The aim of the study was therefore ,to investigate the extent of ICT diffusion in managing medical records in hospitals in kenya with view to indentifying gaps that may be addressed in order to enhance the effectiviness of service provision in these Institutions .the study focused on one hospital in the private sector Aga Khan Hospital Nairobi (AKHN),and the other in public sector - Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH).The specific objectives of the study were to : establish the extent to which ICTs in managing medical Records;establish how the state of ICTs diffusion of in managing medical records compares between the two hospitals,and make recommendations for enhancing diffusion of ICTs in order to improve the management of medical records in the two institutions.The study was based on the theory of diffusion of innovations and comparative case study research method was employed.data was collected by means of structured and semi structured face to face interviews,supplemented by analysis of documentary evidence.The Framework Analysis Qualitative technique was used to analyse data and to make inferences. Data presentation is mainly descriptive ,while interpretations are made by comparing the variables and their meaning s and significances to the problem.Among the findings are the level of diffusion of ICTs is limited ,occasioned largely by inadequate provision of requisite resources and infrastructure; inadequate involvement of stakeholders in the diffusion process;lack physical access to ICTs ,as well as lack of overall ICTs culture among stakeholders .These findings help in indicating potential solutions to problems of ICTs diffusion in management of medical records