Implementation of electronic medical records requires more than new software: Lessons on integrating and managing health technologies from Mbarara, Uganda

Implementation lessons
• Technology alone does not necessarily lead to improvement in health service delivery, in contrast to the common assumption that advanced technology goes hand in hand with progress.
• Implementation of electronic medical record (EMR) systems is a complex, resource-intensive process that, in addition to software, hardware, and human resource investments, requires careful planning, change management skills, adaptability, and continuous engagement of stakeholders.
• Research requirements and goals must be balanced with service delivery needs when determining how much information is essential to collect and who should be interfacing with the EMR system.
• EMR systems require ongoing monitoring and regular updates to ensure they are responsive to evolving clinical use cases and research questions.
• High-quality data and analyses are essential for EMRs to deliver value to providers, researchers, and patients.