Use of Smartphone-Based Electronic Medical Records by Nurses in Tertiary Teaching Hospitals

Abstract

The adoption of smartphone-based electronic medical records is increasing in the healthcare sector. Nurses are the largest group using mobile electronic medical records. This study examined the system quality, information quality, service quality, usefulness, and ease of using mobile electronic medical records, the effects of the three qualities of the mobile electronic medical records on the usefulness and ease of use, and nurses' preference for using mobile electronic medical records. The participants were 210 nurses using a mobile electronic medical record system for over a month. An instrument modified from existing instruments was used. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The participants perceived the system and information quality more positively than the service quality of the mobile electronic medical records. They perceived the mobile electronic medical records as being useful and easy to use. System quality and information quality significantly affected the perception of the usefulness and ease of using the mobile electronic medical record. They preferred to use it as a means to identify patients' conditions at any time. For user satisfaction and the implications for nursing practice, the usability and functionality of a mobile electronic medical record system should be continuously assessed.