Perceptions of Mzuzu University final year nursing students on the health information systems in malawian hospitals

Abstract

This study explored perceptions of Mzuzu University fi nal year nursing students on the health information systems in Malawian hospitals. The study used a qualitative approach in which a focus group discussion was conducted with 15 student nurses. Data was analysed thematically according to objectives of the study. Findings revealed that student nurses had pre-requisite knowledge to enable them to use Health Information System (HIS) in Malawian hospitals, however not all hospitals allowed student nurses to use HIS. For those that used HIS, the study found that HIS improved communication; finding of remedies to clinical problems; bringing treatment on time, and there is continuity in delivering healthcare to patients; enables collaboration among hospital departments; minimizes errors in medication administration; and leads to better clinical diagnosis of patients. The study also revealed some challenges with HIS in hospitals that included network problems which affects the efficiency of patients’ care; inadequate and/or non-functioning computers (hardware); lack of training on how to use computers; high costs of maintaining the technologies; poor network infrastructure; poor Internet connectivity; and financial constraints. The study recommends that all hospitals should allow student nurses to use HIS since it is the tool they will use after graduation; all hospital departments should be linked through HIS to ensure that healthcare providers communicate efficiently for problem solving and finally all hospitals should have alternative power supply to enable HIS to function even when there are power outages.