In my hospital, we use an EMR system, but it still runs alongside paper records. The EMR mainly stores scanned copies of doctors’ handwritten notes, laboratory results, and uses a separate program for imaging studies.
From my experience, the main problems are design and operation. The system is not user-friendly. For example, to review imaging exams I need to switch between different program windows. Recently, a newer system was introduced in the inpatient unit to move toward fully digital records, but its implementation seems slower than expected. More training sessions will be needed for staff, including myself, to use it effectively.
In addition, I believe that cost is another critical barrier. The limited budget restricts improvement not only in my hospital but also in many government health centers across Thailand.