Are we ready for the Electronic Patient Record? Attitudes and perceptions of staff from two NHS Trust hospitals

BACKGROUND: In light of plans to implement an electronic patient record (EPR), preparations for radical organisational change were recognised as being critical to success.

AIM: To determine hospital staff’s experience of and attitudes toward computer use and the EPR.

METHOD: A cross-sectional design using The Computer and EPR Attitude Survey was administered to 878 health service employees in two acute hospitals; 479 completed questionnaires were returned, representing a 54% response rate.

RESULTS: The majority of respondents demonstrated positive attitudes toward the use of computers and toward EPR, although only 298 (62%) wrote that they knew what ‘EPR’ actually stood for. Nurses consistently recorded the greatest agreement with negative statements: ‘I avoid using computers whenever I can,’ ‘Using a computer is more trouble than it is worth,’ and ‘I sometimes feel intimidated by the thought of using a computer.’

RECOMMENDATIONS: Responsive and prompt actions e.g. informative workshops and targeted skills training.