Needs assessment for a laboratory information system at Diagnopath Medical Laboratories in Zimbabwe

Background: Laboratory information systems (LIS) are increasingly recognised as essential for improving efficiency, accuracy and data management in medical laboratories. While public sector LIS implementations have been documented in Zimbabwe, little information is publicly available about needs assessments in the private sector. Aim: To identify user requirements for an LIS at Diagnopath Medical Laboratories (DML) to inform future implementation. Setting: The study was conducted in a multidiscipline private medical laboratory setting. Methods: A two-round Delphi study involved 14 experts (Round 1) and 30 experts (Round 2). Round 1 used interviews and observations; Round 2 employed questionnaires. Statistical analyses included independent t-tests and Pearson correlation. User stories were converted to requirements using Agile methodologies. Results: Experts aged 22–52 years participated. Experts anticipated that an LIS would reduce task completion times by an average of 70%. Significant differences existed between current and expected task times (t[50] = 3.611, p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.001), indicating a large and practically meaningful effect. No significant relationship was found between task frequency and time reduction (r = –0.306, p = 0.121). Forty user stories yielded 153 requirements, showing strong correlation (r = 0.70, p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study demonstrates a clear need for LIS adoption at DML, with the potential to substantially improve efficiency and streamline workflows. The user requirements identified provide a structured model for LIS design and implementation in Zimbabwe’s private laboratory sector. Contribution: Findings contribute to the limited literature on digital health adoption in sub-Saharan Africa and offer practical guidance for laboratories considering LIS procurement and deployment.