Enhancing Organisational Readiness: The Critical Role of Health Informatics Clinicians in Implementing Electronic Health Record Systems

The widespread adoption of centralised electronic health records (EHR) has become a strategic priority for healthcare systems globally, including the NHS and private healthcare providers, aiming to enhance care delivery and operational efficiency. However, implementing these systems remains complex, particularly in fostering organisational readiness and ensuring healthcare professionals are adequately prepared for the transition. This research examines the role of Health Informatics Clinicians (HICs), known as Clinical Informatics Specialists (CIS), in mediating the adoption process through the development and execution of targeted engagement strategies. A mixed-methods research design was employed to investigate the efficacy of HIC-led interventions, such as “show and tell” sessions and “copycat charting” exercises, in mitigating common barriers, including insufficient training, suboptimal user engagement, and the demand for role-specific, personalised support. Data collected via surveys were also analysed using qualitative and quantitative methodologies to assess the impact of these interventions on user adoption and organisational readiness. The findings of this research suggest that healthcare professionals positively perceived the HIC-driven activities, increasing system acceptance and indicating a strong preference for sustained ongoing support. Thus, the study underscores the critical function of HICs in facilitating organisational change, particularly by aligning engagement strategies with the specific needs of diverse clinical roles. This research concludes by recommending enhanced training protocols and sustained support mechanisms to improve EHR implementation outcomes, and it identifies key areas for future research to optimise engagement strategies in the context of digital health transformation.