Usage of electronic health record (eHR) viewer among healthcare professionals (HCProfs): A territory-wide study of 3972 participants.

BACKGROUND: The Electronic Health Record Sharing System (eHRSS) is an electronic platform for two-way communication between the public and private sectors in Hong Kong. The authorised healthcare professionals (HCProfs) could access and upload patients' health records on the eHR Viewer in the eHRSS. This study aims to evaluate the usage of eHR viewer among the HCProfs from the private sector by 1) examining the correlation of various factors and the data access of eHR viewer; 2) investigating the trend on data access and upload to eHR viewer by time period and domain. METHODS: A total of 3972 HCProfs from private hospitals, group practice, and solo practice were included in the study. Regression analysis was performed to identify the correlation between various factors and the data access to eHR viewer. Trends on accessing and data uploading to eHR viewer by time period and domains were evaluated. Trends on data uploading to eHR viewer by time period and domains were presented in the line chart as well. FINDINGS: All types of HCProfs had a higher likelihood of accessing the eHR viewer as compared to those from private hospitals. HCProfs with specialities (apart from anaesthesia) had a higher possibility of accessing the eHR viewer than general practitioners without specialities. HCProfs participating in the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Programme and the eHealth System (Subsidies) (eHS(S)) were more likely to access the eHR viewer. The overall trend of accessing eHR viewer was rising notably from 2016 to 2022, every domain showed rising trends, especially the laboratory domain with a 5-times increase between 2016 and 2022. CONCLUSION: HCProfs with speciality were more likely to access the eHR viewer (except anaesthesiology), compared with the general practitioners. Participation in the PPP programmes and eHS(S) also increased the access rate of the eHR viewer. Besides, the use of eHR viewer (accessing and data uploading) would be influenced by social policy and the epidemic. Future research should focus on the impact of government programmes on eHRSS adoption.