Knowledge, Perception And Utilization Of Health Information Among Other Health Professionals In University Of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
The history of health information management could be dated back to about 2,500BC, Health Information Management is as old as medicine itself but was formally kept and maintained in primitive way which was suitable to the users (Affia A,B 2004:4). In the Egyptian period known as Pyramid Era (3000 – 2500BC), it was a new age that health records become detailed because of Edwin Smith (1600BC) who made papyrus in recording all he found in patients.
Also, in the Greek period the scientific aspect of health records and medicine was introduced and its pioneer was Hippocrates.
(460-370BC). from the beginning received serious consideration by other hospitals especially medical and other associations.
(KUBOLAJE O. FAJIMI 2007). Hospital standardization in the United states of America actually necessitated the need to keep adequate health records. This started in 1913 when the American college of surgeons was founded under the leadership of Dr. Franklin H. Martin. One of the minimum requirements for hospital standardization, then was that accurate and complete case records be written for all patients and filled in an accessible manner in the hospital. The American health records Association was formed in 1928. That of Greek Britain was formed in 1948 and the Nigerian health records. Association in 1976. Nigerian was first represented in international congress of health records officers in 1972.
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTH RECORD IN NIGERIA
Before the advent of colonial rule, traditional medicine was the main medical practice in Nigeria. The level of illiteracy than and secrecy attached to traditional practice did not allow written document about the practice. The missionary organization made great contributions the growth of medical work in Nigeria. Indeed they were the first to establish organized medical care in West Africa. Example was the Roman Catholic Mission, the sacred Heart hospital in Abeokuta, which was competed 1975, so also among the first notable hospital in Nigeria was the Wesley guild hospital, Ilesa in 1912. The nurses there were able to keep the records of patients that were treated in the hospital and the records served as the medical records of the patients.
When the university hospital, Ibadan (UCH) was established, it became very necessary to keep proper and accurate health records of patients so as to be used for standard health records of patients so as to be used for standard health records department was established at the UCH in 1957 with Mr. Way and Mr. Lee Ham (Britons) as health records officers. Therefore, difficult to comprehend arrangements were made to train Nigeria who eventually took over. Among those trained in the late 50s and early 60s were Mr. Ogbua S.L, Mr. Onasanya, Mr. Jagun, Mr. F.A. Soge, Mr. Kannmi Adisa and Mr. D.O. Akanji. They were the (Nigeria) pioneer health records professionals in Nigeria. Many others have since been trained locally and abroad.
It is worthy of note that some prominent trained nurses that is messre. J.S. Esiere, P.E. Ogbewe, and later Mrs. Grace Onwuchekwa later trained to become professionals and trained health records officers.
TRAINING
The first indigenous training programme was organized at Lagos University Hospital (LUTH) in 1971 by Mr. Onasanya. It was a three month crash programme which later developed into formal training programme. Diploma training programme started at LUTH and ABUJA in 1981, it was later extended to other centers like the UCH Ibadan, OAUTH Ile-Ife and commissioned into the army officer corps as the first set of records officers to man the records departments of several military hospitals across the country among Lt. Col. Mayomi Popoola who happened to be the pioneer officers that were trained at the middle level manpower. Until the advent of Lt. Col. Gods Power U. Eghegbe in 1996 when the first several graduate are being turned out till date.
Today we have many schools of health technology as well as schools in the country that handles training courses for the technicians, National and Higher National Diploma programmes. The University of Ibadan is currently running a masters programme in health information management. Moreover, seminars and workshops are organized on regular basis to update the knowledge of health records professionals. More so plants has reached an advanced stage today as some health institutions in the country now computerize their records.
ADVANCEMENT OF HEALTH RECORDS
Health Information practice has passed through various stages in its development from the Stone Age to the present age. These development have been as a result of improvement in the quality of patient care and information service. Despite the various stages of development purpose of medical records story is almost the same throughout the history.
- THE USE OF PICTOGRAPH: This is the earliest stage of using pictorial aids, either drawn on the wall or burnt clay tablets.
- THE USE OF PAPYRUS: These are long rolls of paper used for recording events on patients records recorded serially.
- THE USE OF NOTEBOOK: Registers are used to maintain information on patients treated. This method has not totally phased out as some private hospitals are still practicing this act.
- THE UNIT SYSTEM: This is the introduction of a system whereby a dossier with a number is assigned to each patient treated.
- AUTOMATION: These are the equipment and machines that can hasten creation, storage and retrieval of records e.g. mechanical documents automated filing cabinets, microfilming equipment, shelves and cabinets. This has improved the accuracy and efficiency of records keeping and the retrieval.
- THE USE OF COMPUTER: This has brought a lot of improvement of health records keeping especially in the area of storage of patient information and retrieval. It makes health records services, more efficient and reliable.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
Health information management as the practice of maintenance and care of health records traditional and electronic means in hospitals, physicians office, clinics, health departments, health insurance companies, and other facilities that provide health care of maintenance of health records.
Health information management professionals has been described to play a critical role in the delivery of health in the country through their focus on the collections, maintenance and use of quality data to support the information intensive and information reliant health care system. Despite all the effort and schools of health information all over the country, there is still not adequate knowledge of health information. For this reason the researcher has thoughtfully decided to conduct a research work on the knowledge, perception and utilization of health information among others health professionals in University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
BROAD OBJECTIVES
To assess the knowledge, perception and utilisation of health information among other health professionals.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES ARE:
To find out the perception of health professionals towards the concept of health information.
To indicate how health information are been utilised in the management of patients care services.
To explore the knowledge of other health professional about health information.
To contribute to the existing knowledge in health information management.
To discover if the existing knowledge and utilisation of health information are adequate to meet the hospital goal and objectives.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This project will be of great significance for the following reasons:
It will encourage the use of health information among other health information among other health professionals.
It will create awareness of the vital role of health information in health care delivery system.
It will inform other health professionals on the value of health information.
It will increase the knowledge of health information.
It will contribute to the existing knowledge of health information.
STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS
There is no significant relationship between the knowledge of other health professionals.
There is no significant difference between the perception of other health professionals on the effectiveness of health information and the practice of health information towards hospital goals and objectives.
There is a significant relationship between the utilisation of health information and hospital practices.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The work is intending to be conducted only in University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State among Health Care providers. The researcher did not intend to go beyond this area.
1.7 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS
KNOWLEDGE:
This is a state of knowing about a particular act or situation.
PERCEPTION:
This is the ability of understanding the true nature of something.
UTILISATION:
To use something, especially for a practical purpose.
HOSPITAL:
Medical treatment and care for ill and injured people.
PATIENT:
Patient is a sick person, who is receiving medical treatment and care in the hospital.
INFORMATION
Facts or details about somebody or something.
HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
This is the practice of maintenance and care of health records by traditional and electronic means in hospitals, physician’s, office, clinics, health departments, health insurance companies, and other facilities that provide health care or maintenance of health record database that generate crucial reports for administrators and physicians.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Does the utilisation of health information affect the management of patient care service?
Is there any knowledge impact on other health professionals about health information?
Does the perception of other health professionals influence the concept of health information?
How does the knowledge, perception and utilisation of health information influence other health professionals?
Does the existing knowledge and utilisation of health information adequate to meet the hospital goal and objectives.
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