Use of Healthcare Informatics Applications and Data for Research Purposes by Students: Opportunities and Challenges in Jordan

Integration of computer technologies and sciences within health systems provides a vast data that can be harnessed by researchers as well as health policy makers to enhance and develop a high quality of healthcare services. A questionnaire will be conducted to explore views and perceptions of master students regarding the use of health informatics data in research including opportunities and challenges facing this use with special focus on some ethical aspects. Health master students by research were kindly consented to complete the questionnaire (N = 52). Results showed that students rate their knowledge and skills in EHR, ethics and research as medium level. In ethics, none of the students rate a good level in knowledge or skills. Students perception regarding the use of EHR instead of paper-based records was high preferable. They perceive identified challenges with a medium level of agreement and identified opportunities with medium level of agreement. Findings will contribute to the understanding of the perceptions of students in the uses of EHR in research in Jordan and how they view potential opportunities and recognize potential challenges. Results regarding researching health data and related ethical aspects could suggest plans for the integration of courses within student curriculum to boost knowledge and skills and highlight the importance of collaborations with international educations institutions for both academic staff and students. In conclusion, students are in favors of using HER and they respond with a medium to high level of agreement of identified challenges and opportunities when using EHR data in research. Students recognize security and confidentiality, legal issues as a challenge with a medium level of agreement while IRB and informed consent process were recognized as an opportunity.