Electronic medical records in primary care facilities: Implication for health services delivery
Mary Knole Tupas Diaz
Abstract
This study examined the implementation of electronic medical records (EMRs) in Primary Care Facilities (PCFs) in the Province of Aklan, Philippines to assess their impact on health service delivery and alignment with health policy under the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act. Using a descriptive research design, data were collected through structured surveys involving 253 healthcare providers, Municipal Health Officers, nurses, midwives, and IT personnel or encoders. The findings indicate that EMRs significantly enhance data accuracy, accessibility, and care coordination. However, persistent barriers remain, including limited infrastructure, insufficient training, and concerns regarding data privacy and security. The study also revealed that most EMR-related responsibilities are carried out by IT personnel or encoders (28.85%), midwives (26.48%), and nurses (25.30%), with minimal engagement from Municipal Health Officers (5.93%). While the system performs strongly in terms of data integration and accessibility, the effectiveness of EMRs can be further optimized through targeted investments in technical infrastructure, expanded capacity-building, and comprehensive policy support. A key implication is the need for greater leadership involvement and institutional backing to ensure the sustainability and efficiency of EMR use in primary care. This study is limited to a single province, which may affect generalizability, but it offers critical insights for strengthening digital health systems in similar contexts.
Keywords
electronic medical records, primary care, digital health, health policy, Universal Health Care, Aklan
Author information & Contribution
Mary Knole Tupas Diaz . Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering. Health Program Officer (ICT Focal Person), Aklan Provincial Health Office. Email: marytupas0912@gmail.com
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Funding
This work was not supported by any funding.
Institutional Review Board Statement
This study was conducted in accordance with the ethical guidelines set by the Northwestern Visayan Colleges. The conduct of this study has been approved and given relative clearance by Northwestern Visayan Colleges.
Data and Materials Availability
AI Declaration
AI tools were not used in writing this paper.
Notes
Acknowledgement
This research was supported by the Aklan Provincial Health Office, which provided essential technical guidance, administrative coordination, and access to critical health systems data. The Provincial Government of Aklan is acknowledged for its dedication to enhancing digital health infrastructure and fostering an enabling environment for this study. Appreciation is also extended to the Primary Care Facilities in Aklan for their cooperation and valuable insights during data collection. The Northwestern Visayan Colleges (NVC), Kalibo, Aklan provided academic resources and research guidance crucial to this project. The combined support of these institutions significantly contributed to advancing health policy research and digital transformation in local healthcare systems.
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Cite this article:
Diaz, M.T. (2025). Electronic medical records in primary care facilities: Implication for health services delivery. Journal of Allied Health Sciences & Medical Research, 1(3), 28-45. https://doi.org/10.53378/jahsmr.353257
License:
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) International License.
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