Medical Secretary and Health Information System Support: An Updated Review Article

Abstract

Background: Medical secretaries, also known as ward clerks or unit secretaries, play a crucial role in healthcare settings by handling administrative tasks, thereby allowing nurses and doctors to focus on patient care. With the advent of electronic medical records (EMRs) and patient information systems (PIS), the responsibilities of medical secretaries have evolved. These systems have introduced both benefits and challenges in various administrative areas such as patient admission, care planning, test ordering, and discharge management.

Aim: This review article examines the role of medical secretaries in the healthcare system and explores how information systems support their administrative duties, including the potential improvements and challenges faced by these professionals in adapting to digital technologies.

Methods: A literature review was conducted to analyze studies on the impact of electronic patient information systems (PIS) on the work of medical secretaries. The review highlights key findings from various healthcare settings regarding system adoption, usability, and the integration of information systems across different stages of patient care.

Results: Findings show that while PIS streamline administrative processes like patient admission and scheduling, issues such as complex user interfaces, slow system performance, and data entry challenges hinder full efficiency. Secretaries’ satisfaction with these systems varies, with higher satisfaction reported in areas like resource management but dissatisfaction concerning legal compliance and system security.

Conclusion: Despite the advancements in digital technologies, patient information systems still face limitations in supporting the full range of medical secretaries’ tasks. Improvements in system integration, user interface design, and security protocols are essential to enhance the effectiveness of these systems and ensure better outcomes for both healthcare professionals and patients.