Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSA) of University Healthcare Professionals towards Health Information Systems (HIS) Usage: The Case of University of Cape Coast Hospital

Background: The purpose and objective of the research was to investigate health care professionals’ perceived Knowledge, Skill and Attitudes (KSA) towards the usage of Health Information System (HIS), in a University health care setting in Ghana, with the University of Cape Coast (UCC) Hospital as a case study.
Methods: A conceptual research model was developed based on Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). A cross-sectional descriptive survey design and a mixed method approach were employed for this study.
Results: It was discovered that the University Health care professionals’ level of perceived knowledge, skills, and attitude on the usage of HIS was established to be positive and appreciable. Positive relationships were established among KSA and TAM variables (Perceived Ease of Use- PEOU and Perceived Usefulness-PU) indicating a generally positive character towards the use of HIS in the University health care system.
Conclusions: The results of this study support the importance of training in the usage of institutional software. Hospital managers must also match skill training levels to role specifications of staff at the facility, and also implement annual training updates on HIS skills and computing competencies for all users of the software. Further studies could look at why differences exist between professional groups regarding their perceptions about HIS, their skill ratings and the use of the system; how accurate these perceptions are; and then how best to address the differential needs of the various professions. Future research could address additional user groups within the same or different healthcare system, such as physicians, nurses, laboratory technicians, administrative assistants or clerical staff.

Health Information Systems; Developing country; Technology Acceptance

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