Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Assistant Professor, Health Information Management, School of Paramedical, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Associated Professor, Health Information Management, Shahidbeheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
3 MSc Student, Medical Records Education, School of Paramedical, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Non-integrated health information has forced health sector to utilize information and
communication technology (ICT). National health information infrastructure (NHII) integrates
clinical and health information, decreases medical errors as well as costs, and increases patient’s
safety. Thus, this article aimed to review the feasibility of NHII implementation in Iran from
perspective of ICT experts in Ministry of Health and other health-related organizations in 2009.
Methods: This survey was conducted after identifying the NHII. The study population consisted
of ICT managers and experts, and sample size was equal to the sample population. The data were
collected through interviewing and by means of questionnaire. The questionnaire was confirmed
by health information management and ICT experts. The validity of the questionnaire was
confirmed by content validity and its reliability by test-retest method (r = 0.84). Data were
analyzed by descriptive statistics.
Results: Despite a relationship between Ministry of Health and other health-related
organizations, only 14.28% of the organizations had fully integrated computerized information
system and were ready to connect to the Ministry of Health. Cultural, economic, and
infrastructural problems were 92.30% and lack of standards and legal issues with 84.61% were
the most important barriers for implementing NHII in Iran.
Conclusion: Due to the lack of required infrastructures, implementing NHII in Iran is impossible.
Developing culture, privacy laws enactment and ICT in addition to governmental supervision for
establishing required infrastructures should be implemented.
Keywords
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