Healthc Inform Res.  2016 Oct;22(4):261-269. 10.4258/hir.2016.22.4.261.

Adoption of Electronic Health Records: A Roadmap for India

• Srivastava SK

• KMID: 2357379
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4258/hir.2016.22.4.261

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The objective of the study was to create a roadmap for the adoption of Electronic Health Record (EHR) in India based an analysis of the strategies of other countries and national scenarios of ICT use in India.
METHODS
The strategies for adoption of EHR in other countries were analyzed to find the crucial steps taken. Apart from reports collected from stakeholders in the country, the study relied on the experience of the author in handling several e-health projects.
RESULTS
It was found that there are four major areas where the countries considered have made substantial efforts: ICT infrastructure, Policy & regulations, Standards & interoperability, and Research, development & education. A set of crucial activities were identified in each area. Based on the analysis, a roadmap is suggested. It includes the creation of a secure health network; health information exchange; and the use of open-source software, a national health policy, privacy laws, an agency for health IT standards, R&D, human resource development, etc.
CONCLUSIONS
Although some steps have been initiated, several new steps need to be taken up for the successful adoption of EHR. It requires a coordinated effort from all the stakeholders.

Keyword

Electronic Health Records; Electronic Medical Records; Health Information Exchange; Health Information Technology; India

MeSH Terms

Education
Electronic Health Records*
Health Information Exchange
Health Policy
Humans
India*
Jurisprudence
Medical Informatics
Privacy
Social Control, Formal

Figure

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  Figure 1 Components in Electronic Health Record (EHR) adoption.

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