Usability and satisfaction of electronic medical records Interface and its relationship with work design among healthcare professionals at universal health insurance settings in Port Said, Egypt.

UNLABELLED: The effective use of electronic medical records (EMRs) has become increasingly vital to ensuring quality and safety in healthcare delivery in Egypt. Yet, user satisfaction and perceptions of usability often hinge on how work is structured within clinical settings. This study aimed to assess how healthcare professionals in Egypt, perceive the usability of EMR interface and how their satisfaction is shaped by the work design under the Universal Health Insurance (UHI) system.

METHODS

An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 532 healthcare professionals working in UHI-affiliated primary and secondary healthcare facilities. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire that combined the Questionnaire for User Interaction Satisfaction and Short Version of the Work Design. Statistical analysis was performed using non-parametric methods in SPSS.

RESULTS

Healthcare professionals reported an overall median EMR satisfaction score of 6.8. Screen design received the highest rating (median = 7.3), followed by terminology and system information and learning (both median = 7.1), while system capabilities (median = 6.6) and general impressions (median = 6.5) received lower ratings. The median overall work-design score was 3.7, with task significance and social support rated most favorably, while autonomy received relatively lower scores. A moderate positive correlation was observed between work design and EMR satisfaction (ρ = 0.48, p < 0.001). In bivariate analyses, gender and language used for EMR data entry were significantly associated with EMR satisfaction, while years of EMR experience were associated with work design perceptions. In the multivariable model, work design was the only independent predictor of overall EMR satisfaction (β = 0.47, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Improving system responsiveness and addressing work-design characteristics, particularly autonomy, social support and feedback from others, may support better EMR user experiences.