Electronic health record systems in reducing medication and diagnostic errors in Tanzanian health care

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of electronic health record systems in reducing medication and diagnostic errors in Tanzanian health care. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 120 health-care professionals, including clinicians, nurses and other staff in public health facilities. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s Chi-square tests and multiple regression analysis. Findings This study found that while EHR systems are widely available across Tanzanian public health facilities, their clinical functionalities remain significantly underused, with 73.3% of users reporting reliance on them mainly for administrative tasks such as billing and registration. However, 80% of health-care professionals who frequently use EHR systems and perceive them as useful reported improvements in patient safety through reduced medication errors, while 78.3% associated their use with improved diagnostic accuracy. The perceived error reduction was strongest among respondents with over four years of experience using EHR systems and those working in facilities with stable technical infrastructure and reliable system support. Notably, 68.3% of participants identified training adequacy, and 60% identified ease of use, as critical enablers of meaningful system engagement. These findings highlight that beyond system availability, aligning digital tools with user competence and organisational readiness is essential for enhancing their clinical value. Based on these insights, the study proposes targeted strategies to enhance EHR usage and reduce errors in Tanzanian health care. Research limitations/implications The cross-sectional design limits causal inference; however, the findings guide for future longitudinal and qualitative studies on EHR effectiveness in improving patient safety. Practical implications Training, usability and support systems are crucial for expanding EHR use beyond administration into core clinical error reduction functions. Social implications The underutilisation of EHRs in some facilities risks exacerbating health inequalities; digital inclusion is crucial for achieving equitable improvements in patient safety. Originality/value This study offers empirical insights from a low-resource setting, focusing on health-care workers’ perceptions of EHR systems in relation to error reduction, an area that has been underexplored in Sub-Saharan Africa.