An Exploration of E-Puskesmas Technology Application in Indonesian Public Health Centers: A Qualitative Study

Background: The development of communication and information technology can positively impact healthcare services. E-puskesmas (E-Public Health Center) is an application developed to meet the needs of digital data recording at Puskesmas (PHC). Objective: This study explored the application of e-Puskesmas in the Public Health Center in Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Method: This study used a descriptive qualitative research approach with semi-structured interviews. The participants in the study were 16 Puskesmas (PHC) staff members who were selected via the purposive sampling method. Data analysis adopted a thematic analysis approach. Results: We found in this study that there are three interrelated main themes: (1) Experiences of e-puskesmas implementation, (2) Barriers of e-puskesmas implementation, and (3) Facilitators of e-puskesmas implementation. Conclusion: The study findings indicated that the application of e-Puskesmas in terms of human resources, organization, and technology has not been optimal. There were still some obstacles to e-Puskesmas implementation. A joint commitment is still needed between the health office and the public health centers to overcome the barriers or challenges of e-Puskesmas application in PHC.