Thematic Analysis of EHRs in South African Public Hospitals

The study employs a qualitative thematic analysis to explore secondary data on Electronic Health Records (EHRs), patient safety, and care coordination in South African public hospitals. This method is chosen for its ability to organize and interpret large volumes of textual data into relevant categories.

The analysis begins with familiarization, involving multiple readings of selected articles. This is followed by initial coding, where key concepts like 'reduction of medication errors' and 'interoperability challenges' are identified. These codes are then grouped into broader themes such as 'EHR impact on patient safety' and 'EHR and care coordination'. Themes are refined for accuracy and alignment with research questions, leading to interpretation of how EHR systems affect patient safety and care coordination.

Thematic analysis is justified for its capacity to interpret complex data, integrate findings from diverse sources, and directly address research questions related to patient safety, care coordination, and the contextual factors influencing EHR effectiveness in South African hospitals.