National standardisation for eHealth information initiatives in hospitals in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Standards are very important in guaranteeing a level field of play in areas such as eHealth. The failure to develop and implement eHealth standards impedes health information sharing, confidentiality, privacy, data migration, and preservation inter alia.  This study sought to establish the state of eHealth information management in hospitals in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. A qualitative research methodology, a case study research design and a judgmental sample were applied. Face-to-face interviews and document analysis were used to collect data. Seven research participants, who represented the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Health Information Management and Disease Surveillance Unit, hospitals and the National Archives of Zimbabwe, participated in this study. The study established that there was no clear-cut eHealth information in hospitals. Furthermore, there were no standards develop by the relevant ministry and this had led to the lack of interoperability, information silos, and failure to preserve, migrate and share information across different platforms The study recommends the establishment of technical committees to develop, implement and overseer the eHealth standardisation process in Zimbabwe.