Problem Statement
The research problem that this study addressed is healthcare professionals’ resistance to using Electronic Medical Record systems (EMR), which appears to hinder productivity in the healthcare industry (Cherry, Ford, & Peterson, 2011; Ferris, 2010). Healthcare professionals perceive that EMR systems are difficult to use; therefore, a preference still exists for paper charting patients’ medical records (Price, 2010). According to Compeau and Higgins (1995), Computer Self-Efficacy (CSE) is “an individual’s perception of his or her ability to use a computer in the accomplishment of a job task” (p. 193). The role played by healthcare professionals’ CSE in mastering computer systems may be critical to using or resisting EMR systems (Ilie, Seha, & Sun, 2009). Physician adoption of EMR systems has long been studied by Information Systems (IS) studies; however, CSE and its part in the resistance to using EMR systems as documented in prior research to require further investigation (Morton, 2008; Nixon, 2009; Price, 2010). Healthcare professionals’ resistance to using EMR systems is a significant problem because these systems have been shown to induce work efficiency, reduce costs, and provide accurate patient tracking capabilities (Block, 2008). Despite these benefits, one study found that about 52% of healthcare professionals still resist implementations of EMR systems (Nov & Schecter, 2012). Resistance to using EMR systems puts both hospitals and patients at greater risk of possible medical mishaps (Block, 2008; Ilie, Courtney, & Van Slyke, 2007).