Academic Electronic Health Records (SimChart) Usage: A Comparative Study

Introduction: Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are a major part of healthcare, especially in nursing. Nursing informatics has led to the creation of academic EHRs, which facilitates growth within nursing curriculum programs and healthcare organizations. Academic EHRs allow nursing institutions to prepare future nurses for the use of real EHRs in their professional practice, thus promoting positive outcomes for patients, staff, and healthcare organizations. However, there has been no research regarding the SimChart toolan academic EHR. Hence, Howard University, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences (CNAHS) investigated a comparative study on the usage and effectiveness of academic EHR (SimChart) in an undergraduate students' cohort enrolled in two different courses at different semesters. Method: SimChart was used during the 2022 Fall Semester for the Upper-Level Junior (ULJ) in Fundamental class and 2023 Upper-Level Senior (ULS) in Adult Health class. The classes were taught by the same instructors as well. Data were collected via a Survey Monkey from the students and the results compared through an 18 question items-survey regarding demographics, perception, and effectiveness of SimChart usage during laboratory and pre-clinical rotation. A University approved IRB (#IRB-2022-0467) was obtained prior to initiation of the study. Data Analysis: Data collected from both courses were analyzed and compared, pointing out significant findings, especially as it relates to undergraduate students' perception of the SimChart benefits and usability. The data were in turn used in the graduate practicum assignments which enabled graduate students to carry out data analytics using the Survey Monkey tool. Results: The results varied among student cohort ranging from receptiveness, utilization, and benefits. The result showed that a significant number of students in both classes were receptive to implementation of SimChart in clinical practice and felt that the documentation tool was an entry-point into the professional world of nursing. However, it is important to note that 74 (90.24%) ULJ students stated that SimChart was easy to navigate, access, and user friendly in documentation for the Fundamental class which is more significant than the results that was reported by the ULS, 62 (86.11%) students in the Adult Health course. This difference could be attributed to delayed tool implementation of the ULS as the grant planning and strategies were being sorted out. Limitation and Future Research: Applying the pilot study in only one department and not exposing other students in the same college for an in dept usability and perspective was missed. Although there were many benefits to implementing academic EHRs in nursing institutions, several barriers remain, which present an opportunity for further research.