User Satisfaction and Perceived Barriers to Implementation of Electronic Health Management Systems in Childcare in Ghana: A Systematic Review (Preprint)

BACKGROUND In an era where technology is rapidly transforming healthcare, Electronic Health Management Information Systems (EHMIS) have emerged as critical tools for enhancing patient-centered care and healthcare management. Despite the potential benefits of EHMIS, including improved access to accurate patient information and reduced child morbidity and mortality rates, their implementation remains suboptimal due to barriers such as inadequate infrastructure, resistance from healthcare providers, and a lack of technical expertise. OBJECTIVE This systematic review aimed to evaluate user satisfaction with Electronic Health Management Information Systems (EHMIS) in pediatric healthcare settings in Ghana and identify implementation barriers. METHODS Following PRISMA guidelines, the review analyzed 17 studies (10 on user satisfaction, 7 on implementation barriers) selected from 626 initial records using the JBI critical appraisal checklist. Findings revealed moderate to high satisfaction levels among healthcare professionals (55-72%), with pediatric staff generally reporting higher satisfaction than other departments. RESULTS Key satisfaction factors included ease of retrieving child health information, improved data management, and enhanced system responsiveness. Implementation barriers encompassed technical challenges (unreliable power, poor connectivity, limited interoperability), human resource issues (insufficient training, staff resistance), system design limitations (inadequate pediatric-specific interfaces), and ethical concerns regarding child health data security. CONCLUSIONS Recommendations include developing pediatric-specific EHMIS modules, enhancing user interfaces with input from pediatric professionals, implementing targeted training programs, improving infrastructure in pediatric departments, establishing data standards for interoperability, and developing mobile health extensions to improve child healthcare outcomes.