Assessing Competency of Nurses Toward Using of Electronic Health Records in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Electronic health records (EHRs) have become increasingly prevalent in healthcare settings, particularly in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to assess nurses' competency and attitudes toward using EHRs in various Saudi hospitals. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire distributed to a random sample of 724 nurses. The questionnaire explored three key dimensions: EHRs and patient care coordination, usability and effectiveness of EHRs, and workload implications. Results showed that nurses generally held positive views on EHRs, with 80.11% agreeing that EHRs improved patient care coordination, particularly in terms of fast data sharing with specialists. However, usability challenges were noted, with 83% highlighting that the asynchronous nature of EHRs can limit real-time understanding across specialties. Regarding workload, 83.30% agreed that EHRs had a moderately positive effect on healthcare outcomes, though some felt that EHRs might be more time-consuming than paper records. The findings suggest that while EHRs are valued for enhancing care coordination and efficiency, there is a need for system improvements to optimize usability, reduce alert fatigue, and streamline documentation processes. Ongoing training and technical support are recommended to maximize the potential benefits of EHRs in Saudi healthcare settings.