The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of information technology (IT) in enhancing healthcare services. It aimed to evaluate the status of health information technology (HIT), factors influencing HIT usage, and strategic aspects contributing to its effective utilization. Adopting a mixed-methods research design using open-ended interviews and quantitative elements through structured surveys, and thematic analysis for qualitative data, while descriptive statistics were used for quantitative data. The findings revealed the need for infrastructure upgrades and extensive training programs and factors affecting HIT usage reveal notable impacts on administrative processes and patient care outcomes, with challenges increasing the administrative workload and influencing coordination processes. Collaborative efforts between healthcare professionals and IT staff can act as the impetus for successful HIT implementation, integration, workflow optimization, and the development of user-friendly systems.
TopIntroduction
Information Technology (IT) has revolutionised healthcare services worldwide, offering numerous benefits such as improved efficiency, enhanced patient care, and better health outcomes (Adler-Milstein, 2017). Healthcare Services refer to the range of activities and interventions provided by healthcare professionals and organisations (WHO, 2019). As this digital revolution sweeps across the global healthcare arena, the strategic utilisation of IT within healthcare services has emerged as a pivotal point of discussion, central to conversations about fortifying healthcare systems. The global healthcare landscape has undergone a paradigm shift due to the rapid advancements in IT, which have led to the transformation of healthcare processes on an unprecedented scale. The integration of IT has facilitated significant enhancements in various aspects of healthcare delivery, shaping the trajectory of patient care, diagnostics, and treatment strategies. The adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) stands as a testament to the substantial impact of IT. EHRs streamline patient information management, allowing for seamless sharing of medical histories, test results, and treatment plans among healthcare providers. Moreover, telemedicine, another hallmark of the digital era, has emerged as a revolutionary approach to healthcare delivery. Through telemedicine, patients can remotely access medical consultations and receive expert advice, transcending geographical barriers and enabling timely interventions (Adler-Milstein et al., 2017). Data analytics, powered by IT capabilities, have further elevated healthcare services by facilitating data-driven decision-making. The ability to analyse massive datasets expedites the identification of trends, patterns, and potential health risks. This empowers healthcare providers to make accurate diagnoses, develop personalized treatment plans, and anticipate potential health concerns, thus elevating the quality of patient care. In the pursuit of improved patient outcomes, the global healthcare community acknowledges IT potential to mitigate healthcare disparities, enabled real-time monitoring of patients, healthcare professionals to track remotely vital signs, medication adherence, and disease progression. This real-time monitoring can be particularly impactful for patients in remote or underserved areas, ensuring timely interventions and reducing healthcare inequalities (Bashshur et al., 2016). The global adoption of IT in healthcare services underscores the recognition that technology is a transformative force that holds the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery, improve patient outcomes, and bridge existing gaps in healthcare accessibility.