Health Information Technology Utilization in the Referral System, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Kebede, Eyerusalme (2011) Health Information Technology Utilization in the Referral System, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.

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Abstract

Background: referral is a process in transferring the patients from one health facility to the other for better health care service. It is a support system that assists in making health services more effective, efficient, and equitable. Patient referral system is practiced in developed and developing countries with differing levels of quality and care. Implementation of a functional and well managed referral system leads to good quality of health care. Objective: The general objective of this study is to investigate information communication technology utilization in the referral system, current referral process and its challenges among public health facilities in Addis Ababa. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed to assess health information technology utilization in the referral system in Addis Ababa public health facilities at May 2011. The study used both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The health institutes and health care providers were the study subjects and a total of 313 study participants were randomly selected from health care providers based on their population size proportionally. Quantitative data were collected using self administered questionnaire, entered and cleaned using Epi Info software version 3.5.1and analyzed using SPSS version 16 software. Qualitative data were collected using in-depth interview and described by thematic issues. Results: A total of 313 health care providers were participated in the study. Ten health centers, five regional hospitals and one federal hospital were the study unit. From the total respondents 160(51.1%) and 285(91.1%) had no computer access and internet access in their working area respectively. While 217(69.3%) were computer literate. The paper based referral system is the most practiced means that was used by 215(82.1%) respondents. Conclusion and Recommendation: The study indicates there was no information technology utilization for the referral system. Majority of the respondents had no access and skill for the information technology and current referral information system was manly paper based. In addition, there were no database, local network, and internet service. The referral system supposed to be revisited in terms of the health information system requirements and avail the infrastructure and system to all level.

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
Subjects: T Technology > T Technology (General)
Z Bibliography. Library Science. Information Resources > Z665 Library Science. Information Science
Z Bibliography. Library Science. Information Resources > ZA Information resources > ZA4050 Electronic information resources
Divisions: Africana
Depositing User: Selom Ghislain
Date Deposited: 04 Oct 2018 12:28
Last Modified: 04 Oct 2018 12:28
URI: http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/6719

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