Enhancing Pediatric Nurses’ Performance in the Digital Era Regarding Electronic Health Records: Readiness and Challenges

Background: Electronic Health Records (EHRs) enable healthcare team members to capture patient data from many disciplines and communicate that data to improve child care management and outcomes. Nonetheless, challenges have arisen with the shift from paper-based to digital platforms, particularly for healthcare professionals. Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of educational intervention in enhancing pediatric nurses’ performance in the digital era regarding EHRs. Research design: This study used a quasi-experimental (pre- and post-) research design. Sampling: A convenience sample of 240 pediatric nurses. Settings: The critical and non-critical units at the Pediatric Hospital affiliated with Ain Shams University Hospitals. Tools: Data was collected using Tool I: Structured Interviewing Questionnaire, which included nurses’ characteristics and knowledge regarding EHRs. Tool II: Nurses’ Perceptions Questionnaire about EHRs. Tool III: Challenges Questionnaire of EHRs Integration and Utilization. Tool IV: Nurses’ Satisfaction Questionnaire Towards EHRs Integration and Use. Results: More than three-quarters of nurses reported high obstacles across all challenging dimensions regarding EHRs. Also, more than four-fifths of nurses were unsatisfied with various aspects of the EHRs system. In addition, after implementing the educational intervention, most nurses had satisfactory knowledge and positive perceptions regarding EHRs compared to less than one-fifth pre-intervention. There was a positive correlation between nurses’ knowledge of EHRs and their perceptions regarding integrating EHRs in healthcare for pediatric patients. Conclusion: Several significant challenges to the integration and use of EHRs were faced by nurses, and they expressed dissatisfaction with the EHRs system. However, nurses’ knowledge and perceptions of EHRs were markedly improved by the implementation of an educational intervention. Furthermore, the study findings underscore the critical role of knowledge in shaping nurses’ perceptions towards EHRs. Recommendations: Addressing EHRs integration obstacles requires a comprehensive approach. The educational programs and continuous training of healthcare professionals enable smoother implementation and greater acceptance of EHR systems in healthcare settings.