Impact of Health Information Technology on Quality, Efficiency, and Costs of Medical Care at Federal Medical Center, Owo, Ondo State.

ABSTRACT This project was designed to examine the impact of health information technology on quality, efficiency and costs of medical care in federal medical center, Owo, Ondo state. The objective of the study includes the following, to examine the overall impact of health information technology (hit) on the quality of medical care provided, to examine the efficiency gains achieved through the implementation of health information technology in various medical processes, and to examine the influence of health information technology on the overall cost-effectiveness of medical care delivery at FMC Owo. This study utilized a descriptive survey design and a structured questionnaire method to gather information from 100 respondents in the study area. A response rate of 98% was achieved, with most respondents being females. Abstract: This research project comprehensively evaluates the impact of Health Information Technology (HIT) implementation at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owo on various dimensions of medical care quality, efficiency gains, and cost-effectiveness. Through a mixed-methods approach, including surveys and qualitative assessments, the study examines the perceptions of healthcare professionals regarding HIT's influence on medical care quality, operational efficiency, and overall cost-effectiveness. Findings indicate a generally positive perception of HIT's role in improving the accuracy of medical records, enhancing accessibility to patient information, and streamlining medical processes. However, opinions vary regarding its effectiveness in promoting seamless communication among healthcare professionals. Despite high satisfaction with efficiency gains achieved through HIT, challenges persist in areas such as patient scheduling. Moreover, while a significant majority perceive HIT to reduce overall healthcare costs, variations in perceptions exist. Overall, this study underscores the multifaceted impact of HIT implementation on medical care quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, emphasizing the importance of addressing challenges to optimize its benefits for enhanced patient care and operational excellence at FMC Owo. In conclusion, the research findings highlight the multifaceted impact of Health Information Technology (HIT) implementation at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owo. While HIT demonstrates significant improvements in medical care quality, operational efficiency, and perceived cost-effectiveness, challenges remain in areas such as communication among healthcare professionals and patient scheduling, emphasizing the need for continued optimization and adaptation of HIT systems to enhance overall healthcare delivery. Based on the comprehensive findings of the study on HIT implementation at Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owo, several recommendations can be made to optimize the benefits and address challenges: Enhance Communication: Implement strategies to improve communication among healthcare professionals, such as regular training sessions, interdisciplinary team meetings, and the use of communication tools integrated into HIT systems, Improve Satisfaction: Address factors contributing to moderate satisfaction levels by soliciting feedback from stakeholders, identifying areas of concern, and implementing targeted interventions to enhance overall satisfaction with HIT implementation. Keywords: health information technology, quality, efficiency, costs.