INVESTIGATION INTO THE FACTORS MILITATING AGAINST EFFECTIVE DOCUMENTATION IN SECONDARY HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM. A CASE STUDY OF STATE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL, ASUBIARO,OSOGBO

Abstract

It has been recognized that effective medical record documentation is affected by prevailing factors militating against health institutions in Nigeria. The State Specialist Hospital Asubiaro, Osogbo has track record of competent Health Information officers who utilize different documentation methods, the methods in use are assessed while also identifying the problems or factors militating effective documentation in the State Specialist Hospital Asubiaro, Osogbo. . The sampling technique employed was a random sampling which is a sub-group of people chosen by chance in a way that everyone has the chance of being selected. 120 questionnaires was distributed and retrieved personally. From the data collected it revealed that the Major factor militating against effective MRD in State Specialist Hospital Asubiaro, Osogbo is inadequate resources, funding while also revealing complaints on non-legibility of physicians handwriting, lack of skilled personnel among others. Based on the findings of this research work, it was concluded that inadequate funding and resources is the main factor militating against effective MRD in State Specialist Hospital Asubiaro, Osogbo. Government should make provision for more facilities and electronic medical record equipment to enhance efficient MRD while also making effort to employ more Health Information professionals to further boost effective MRD in State Specialist Hospital Asubiaro, Osogbo.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Health care delivery system is the process of meeting the health care needs of people, institutions, and resources and other target populations. There are numerous health care delivery systems globally. However, nations design and develop the health delivery system which is in accordance with their needs and resources. The essential health systems consist of primary healthcare which is the health system which consist of planning and distribution of health care needs among market participants and public health care system which is the effort of governments, trade unions, charities, religious organizations, or other co-ordinated bodies to deliver planned health care services targeted to the populations they serve. Health care planning and distribution is evolutionary rather than revolutionary.

The World Health Organization defines health systems as a system consisting of all organizations, people and actions directed at promoting, restoring or maintaining health. This includes efforts which influence health determinants and health-improving activities. A health system encompasses publicly owned facilities which delivers personal health services, health insurance organizations, a mothers care for a sick child at home; vector-control campaigns, efforts of private health care providers; behavior change programmes, occupational health and safety legislation. It also takes into consideration inter sectoral action by health staff, such as enhancing the ministry of education to promote female education which facilitate the growth of good health as stated by the World Health Organization (2000).

Documentation of health care delivery system plays a significant role in providing the needed information regarding the evaluation and treatment of health care services and communicating same to third-party payers. Documentation guidelines serve as the standard for many other insurance plans. Documentation also provides relevant clinical information. It is essential that the documents note and reports are clear, legible and that it efficiently conveys all of the essential information required for clinical management and reimbursement. The study seeks to proffer an appraisal of the factors militating against effective documentation in health delivery system. A case study of State Specialist Hospital Asubiaro, Osogbo.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The challenge facing documentation relates to certain factors inadequate skilled manpower, lack of efficient technology, lack of financial resources to adopt modern technology which promote effective documentation, lack of information technology skill among others . Consequently the problem confronting the study is to appraise the factors militating against effective documentation in health delivery system. A case study of State Specialist Hospital Asubiaro, Osogbo.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The Main Objective of the study is to appraise the factors militating against effective documentation in health delivery system. A case study of State Specialist Hospital Asubiaro, Osogbo; The specific objectives include:

i. To find out if there are proper documentations of health delivery system in State Specialist Hospital Asubiaro, Osogbo.

ii. To investigate the impacts of effective documentation of health delivery system in State Specialist Hospital Asubiaro, Osogbo.

iii. To identify the factors militating against effective documentation of health delivery system in State Specialist Hospital Asubiaro, Osogbo.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

i. Are there proper documentations of health delivery system in State Specialist Hospital Asubiaro, Osogbo?

ii. What are the impacts of effective documentation of health delivery system in State Specialist Hospital Asubiaro, Osogbo?

iii. What are the factors militating against effective documentation of health delivery system in State Specialist Hospital Asubiaro, Osogbo?

1.5 STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESIS

Ho1: There is no significant factor militating against effective documentation in health delivery system.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study proffers an appraisal of the factors militating against effective documentation in health delivery system. A case study of State Specialist Hospital Asubiaro, Osogbo. It provides relevant data for the effective formulation and implementation of policies to enhance the realization of envisaged objective.

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study proffers an appraisal of the factors militating against effective documentation in health delivery system. A case study of State Specialist Hospital Asubiaro, Osogbo.

1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The study was confronted with logistics and geographical factors.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Health Care Delivery System Defined

World Health Organization defines health systems as a system consisting of all organizations, people and actions directed at promoting, restoring or maintaining health. This includes efforts which influence health determinants and health-improving activities. A health system encompasses publicly owned facilities which delivers personal health services, health insurance organizations, a mother’s care for a sick child at home; vector-control campaigns, efforts of private health care providers.

Health Care Providers Defined

Healthcare providers consist of those institutions or individuals which provides healthcare services.

Education Defined

Education is viewed as the process of inviting truth and possibility. It is the wise, hopeful and respectful cultivation of learning undertaken in the belief that all should have the chance to share in life.