The impact of an Information Management System on healthcare service delivery in South Africa

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of information management systems (IMS) on healthcare service delivery in the Dr RSM district of the NWP in South Africa. A quantitative positivist approach was adopted as a research paradigm. The overall research methodology used was a quantitative method and a survey method as the design genre was followed. Data were collected from stratified random sampled respondents by means of self-administered structured questionnaires. Overall, a total sample size of 150 respondents took part in the study. The data analysis in the study involved the use of reliability analysis, descriptive statistical analysis and exploratory factor analysis with the aid of a quantitative data analysis software, SPSS version 25. Among the key findings of the study was that the operational behaviours of IMS (TrackCare in this case) are characterized by unfavourable facets such as data inconsistency, and inaccuracy, among others, which negatively impact on improved healthcare service delivery. The main conclusion drawn from this study was that implementation of an information management system can negatively effect on healthcare service delivery due to some unfavourable system operational behaviours like difficulties in data interpretation, accessibility and identification coupled with personnel, administrators and management staff who are ill-equipped and have less IT skills resulting in inefficient and underuse of the IMS. A key recommendation from the study is that unless health personnel, administrators and management staff are fully equipped by properly orienting, training and properly educating themselves with the operational behaviours of the IMS, the merits associated with the use of IMS in medical health record-keeping will never be fully realized.