Thesis (M.H.A.)--University of Michigan, 1963.

Thesis (M.H.A.)--University of Michigan, 1966.

Thesis (M.H.A.)--University of Michigan, 1966.

Thesis (M.H.A.)--University of Michigan, 1963.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2000. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains v, 68 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 67-68).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 661-707).

Patients typically enter the healthcare systems at the primary care level from where they are further referred to specialists or hospitals as necessary. In the private healthcare system, primary care is provided by a general practitioner (GP). A GP will refer a patient to a specialist for treatment when necessary, while the GP remains the main healthcare provider. The provision of care is, thus, fragmented which results in continuity of care becoming a challenge. Furthermore, the majority of healthcare providers continue to use paper-based systems to capture and store patient medical data. However, capturing and storing patient medical data via electronic methods, such as Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), has been found to improve continuity of care. Despite this benefit, research reveals that smaller practices are slow to adopt electronic methods of record keeping. Hence this explorative research attempts to identify factors that affect the lack of adoption and meaningful use of EMRs in general practices. Four general practices are surveyed through patient and staff questionnaires, as well as GP interviews. Socio-Technical Systems (STS) theory is used as a theoretical lens to formulate the resulting factors. The findings of the research indicate specific factors that relate to either the social, environmental or technical sub-systems of the socio-technical system, or an overlap between these sub-systems. It is significant to note that within these sub-systems, the social sub-system plays a key role. This is due to various reasons revealed by this research. Furthermore, multiple perceptions emerged from the GP and patient participants during the analysis of the findings. These perceptions may have an influence on the adoption and potential meaningful use of an EMR in a general practice. Additionally, the socio-technical factors identified from this research highlight the challenges related to encouraging the adoption and meaningful use of EMRs. These challenges are introduced by the complexities represented by these factors. Nevertheless, addressing the factors will contribute towards improving the rate of adoption and meaningful use of EMRs in small practices.

published_or_final_version / Public Health / Master / Master of Public Health

Thesis (M Cur)--University of Limpopo, 2011. / An evaluation of the effective use of Computer-based Nursing Information System (CNIS) in patient care by Professional nurses at Dr George Mukhari Hospital. The aim of the study was to evaluate if the CNIS is being used effectively for patient care by professional nurses in different nursing units. The objectives of the study were to describe the perceptions of professional nurses regarding the role of CNIS, to determine the effective use of CNIS, and to identify barriers to the effective use of CNIS in patient care. Quantitative descriptive simple survey research design was used. The setting was at Dr George Mukhari Hospital. The population was all professional nurses who are working on day and night shifts in the wards that have computers installed for the purpose of patient care. Non probability, convenience sample of 120 professional nurses was used. Data was collected utilising a self report questionnaire with 41 closed ended and one open ended questions. Raw data was fed into a SPSS with the assistance of a statistician. Data analysis was conducted through the use of descriptive statistics. The findings are that professional nurses are not using CNIS effectively in patient care. In a unit with a bed occupancy rate of 30-40 patients, and where 30-40 patients are attended to on a daily basis, only 0-2 Nursing Care Plans (NCP) or entries are performed by professional nurses. The majority of professional nurses (56%) never updated NCPs or made an entry before. This is despite the fact that they have indicated positive perceptions with regard to the role of CNIS in patient care. Increased workload, inadequate number of computers, and lack of continuous in-service training were cited by the majority as barriers to the effective use of CNIS in patient care. A problem of increased workload will remain a challenge for as long as available technology is not used appropriately. Hence, hand held devices such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and bedside terminals, are highly recommended. Key concepts: Computer, Nursing, Information, System, Evaluation, Effective, Professional Nurses, Patient care.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oklahoma, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 183-194).