Electronic Medical Records in Latin America and the Caribbean: An Analysis of the current situation and recommendations for the Region
Abstract
At the invitation of the Latin American and Caribbean Network for Strengthening Health Information
Systems [Red Latinoamericana y del Caribe para el Fortalecimiento de los Sistemas de Información
de Salud (RELACSIS)], a group of 200 people registered in a virtual forum and held discussions
on the situation of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) in Latin America and the Caribbean. This report
is aimed at documenting the feedback posted by the participants on the network virtual platform. To
analyze the content generated by participants, thematic qualitative analysis techniques were used. The
importance of having a record on the EMR adoption level in the Region, including accurate and updated
data, emerged as an important factor. Participants recommended increased human resource training,
with a focus on EMRs’ associated benefits and risks to improve health information systems. Topics such
as EMR organizational aspects and the importance of strategic planning, engagement of all stakeholders,
working with interdisciplinary teams and managing change effectively were also discussed, as well as the
relevance of having a regulatory framework to enable or foster EMR adoption. Confidentiality and safety
of sensitive information was regarded as another factor to be considered. Topics related to the interaction
of end-users with the systems also emerged, namely: interface design, the complexity of introducing
diagnoses and the use of classifications lists versus the use of terminologies to better reflect users’ needs.
Participants also described the use of interoperability standards and the sharing of documents describing
successful experiences of EMR implementation worldwide as very significant factors related to EMR
success in the Region.
Translated title
Registros médicos electrónicos en América Latina y el Caribe: Análisis sobre la situación actual y recomendaciones para la Región
Subject
Category of PAHO Strategic Plan 2014-2019
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