Determinants of Health Information System Usability for Quality Service Delivery: A Case Study of Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), Tanzania

https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.5.3.91

Authors

Keywords:

Health Information System, Human Factors, Organizational Factors, Technological Factors, Usability

Abstract

This study examines the determinants of Health Information Systems (HIS) usability, using a case study of Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH). In this study, we focus on human, organizational, and technological factors. The Human, Organization, and Technology-Fit (HOT-Fit) model guided this research. We utilize a mixed-methods research approach with a descriptive survey design and a sample of 109 respondents selected from the 1500 population at Muhimbili National Hospital through simple random and purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather qualitative data in order to delve further into the experiences and perspectives of MNH staff members, while structured questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data in order to evaluate various aspects of Health Information Systems (HIS) usability. The analysis of quantitative data was conducted by using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis, while qualitative data were analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings showed that human factors, such as education and training, significantly enhance HIS usability. Organizational factors, such as organizational structure, policies, and top management support, have a significant and positive impact on HIS usability. Technological factors, such as infrastructure reliability and system capabilities, also have a significant and positive impact on HIS usability. The study also revealed the interdependence of these factors, underscoring the significance of staff engagement and effective management practices. It is recommended that enhancing training with practical applications, strengthening organizational support, investing in robust infrastructure, implementing user feedback mechanisms, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration could optimize HIS usability.

Dimensions

Adejumo, A. (2017). An assessment of data quality in health information systems in Oyo State, Nigeria. BMJ (Clinical Research Education), 91(1), 399-404. http://hdl.handle.net/11394/5497

Afzal, M. (2017). Automatic evidence acquisition and appraisal to support evidence-based medical decision making (PhD thesis, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea).

Akor, P. U., Joshua, O. A., & Idika-Mba, E. W. (2016). Imperatives of modern technology on service delivery in university libraries in Nigeria. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Information and Communication Technology and Its Applications (ICTA 2016) (pp. 28-30). Federal University of Technology.

Asemahagn, M. A. (2017). Determinants of health information utilization at primary healthcare facilities in Western Amhara, Ethiopia. Cogent Medicine, 4(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331205X.2017.1387971 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/2331205X.2017.1387971

Auyo, S., Faskari, M., Yabo, A. S., Idris, A., Ibrahim, A., Yushau, A., & Rugga, B. (2023). Potentials of information and communication technology (ICT) adoption by health workers in Nigeria: A case study of Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital Kano. Dutse Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 9(1b), 130-140. https://doi.org/10.4314/dujopas.v9i1b.12 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/dujopas.v9i1b.12

Awowale, A. (2017). Decision making in healthcare systems: Roles and responsibilities. BMC International Health and Human Rights, 43(1), 83-102. http://hdl.handle.net/1903/19560

Chikanda, A. (2016). Skilled health professionals' migration and its impact on health delivery in Zimbabwe. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 32(4), 667-680. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691830600610064 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13691830600610064

Croll, J. (2009). The impact of usability on clinician acceptance of a health information system (PhD Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, Australia).

Erlirianto, L., Ali, N., & Herdiyanti, A. (2015). The implementation of the human, organization, and technology-fit (HOT-Fit) framework to evaluate the electronic medical record (EMR) system in a hospital. Procedia Computer Science, 72, 580-587. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2015.12.166 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2015.12.166

Garavand, A., Mohseni, M., Asadi, H., Etemadi, M., Moradi-Joo, M., & Moosavi, A. (2016). Factors influencing the adoption of health information technologies: A systematic review. Electronic Physician, 8(8), 2713-2718. https://doi.org/10.19082/2713 DOI: https://doi.org/10.19082/2713

Halim, M. (2019). The eHealth usability matrix: Developing a usability evaluation framework for patient-facing eHealth technologies (Bachelor's thesis, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands).

Hyppönen, H., Kaipio, J., Heponiemi, T., Lääveri, T., Aalto, A.-M., Vänskä, J., & Elovainio, M. (2019). Developing the national usability-focused health information system scale for physicians: Validation study. Journal of Internet Medical Research (JIMR), 21(5), e12875. https://doi.org/10.2196/12875 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2196/12875

Ibrahim, S. M. (2013). Impact of information and communication technology on healthcare in health centers in the West Bank - Palestine. https://scholar.najah.edu/sites/default/files/Saed Ibrahim_0.pdf

Kavuta, K., Msanjila, S., & Shidende, N. (2023). Assessment of the influence of contextual issues in evaluating eHealth systems usability in Tanzania. East African Journal of Information Technology, 6(1), 155-170. https://doi.org/10.37284/eajit.6.1.1442 DOI: https://doi.org/10.37284/eajit.6.1.1442

Khatun, F., & Sima, K M. R. (2015). Impact of ICT on health services in Bangladesh: A study on Hobiganj Adhunik Zila Sadar hospital. SSRN. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2591201 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2591201

Kimaro, H. C., & Twaakyondo, H. M. (2017). Analysing the hindrance to the use of information and technology for improving efficiency of health care delivery system in Tanzania. Tanzania Health Research Bulletin, 17(2), 189-197.

Kohn, M. K. (2014). Evidence-based strategic decision making in Ontario public hospitals. Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research, 266(25), 23-30. https://ihpme.utoronto.ca/document/1889063787/

Kothari, C. (2004). Sample size and sampling methods: Training course in reproductive health research. University of Health Sciences, 18(9), 1-34. https://www.gfmer.ch/Activites_internationales_Fr/Laos/PDF/Sample_size_methods_Phrasisombath_Laos_2009.pdf

Kuhuba, E., Gathara, D., Mwinga, S., et al. (2014). Assessing the ability of health information systems in hospitals to support evidence-informed decisions in Kenya. Global Health Action, 7, 24859. https://doi.org/10.3402/gha.v7.24859 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3402/gha.v7.24859

Lubua, E. W., & Pretorius, P. D. (2018). The role of health information systems in supporting corporate objectives in hospital management. African Conference on Information Systems & Technology (pp. 1-12). Cape Town, South Africa.

Mbizi, Z. L. (2021). Investigating effects of implementing information and communication technologies (ICTS) on health services in Tanzania: A case study of Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH). University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania).

Mboro, G. N. (2017). Use of health information for decision making among health workers at Coast General Hospital, Mombasa County, Kenya. Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 91(4), 399-404. http://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/18383

Muhanga, M. I., & Haule, C. D. (2021). Services delivery in public and private health facilities: A systematic literature review. The Sub-Saharan Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSJSSH), 1(1), 25-30.

Odiwuor, C. W., Onyuka, J. H. O., Muhoho, F., Muchiri, J., Yegon, C., Muthoki, L., Nyaberi, J., Kina, B., & Nginya, C. (2015). Utilization of information communication technology (ICT) among health care providers in Gatundu North District of Kiambu County, Kenya. International Journal of Applied Research, 1(1), 1025-1029.

Price, M., Weber, J., Bellwood, P., Diemert, S., & Habibi, R. (2016). Evaluation of eHealth system usability and safety. In F. Lau & C. Kuziemsky (Eds.), Handbook of eHealth evaluation: An evidence-based approach (pp. 337-350). University of Victoria.

Serrat, O. (2021). Techtonic: The role of technology in organizations. https://www.academia.edu/49940349/Techtonic_The_Role_of_Technology_in_Organizations

Published

2024-09-12

How to Cite

Masunzu, A. P., & Mazana, M. Y. (2024). Determinants of Health Information System Usability for Quality Service Delivery: A Case Study of Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), Tanzania. African Journal of Empirical Research, 5(3), 1069–1082. https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.5.3.91