Web-Based medical information system

Abstract

Despite the fact that electronic information systems have been around for a long time, it remains a challenge for developing countries health systems to implement their own all inclusive functioning electronic medical information system, for a number of reasons led by the high costs running such system in all healthcare settings across the country. Even in developed countries that has already adopted the medical technology and has a number of on-practice systems, medical information systems often lack global access, an efficient interface, and effective knowledge-based tools at the point of care. Consequently, the information needs of patients, practitioners, administrators, researchers, and policymakers often go unmet, leaving healthcare providers dissatisfied. To address this problem, an experimental web-based medical information system was designed referred to as “Sudan University of Science and Technology Electronic Medical Information System” (SUSTEMIS) to ensure that the most vital pieces of patient clinical records are available to make informed health care decisions. This research aims to facilitate clinical documentation, usability, global access, and decision-making processes to better address local, clinical, and psychosocial healthcare problems in underserved communities in Sudan. SUSTEMIS was developed with a long-term vision in mind, of all the hospitals in Sudan servicing under one national healthcare information system. Where the Sudanese patient has the freedom to move between different providers without losing his medical information. An experimental model of the web-based medical information system with an easy to navigate, intuitive computer interface was developed and evaluated. The developed system was tested by twenty healthcare professionals through a written survey. The evaluation results show clear measurable positive effect on user satisfaction and work flow among other things. The participants found the system overall 85 % satisfying of their needs as health care providers in comparison to having no medical information system of any form.