Development and Pilot Testing of an EMR System in Congolese Public Hospitals: An African Perspective

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faces significant challenges in healthcare delivery, particularly in public hospitals where electronic medical records (EMR) systems are underutilized. A comprehensive search of academic databases was conducted to identify relevant studies published between and . Studies were critically appraised using predefined inclusion criteria focusing on the development and implementation phases of EMR systems in Congolese public hospitals. The analysis revealed that approximately 40% of reviewed studies reported challenges related to data integrity, with inconsistencies in patient records being a common issue. While initial pilot testing showed promise, ongoing technical support and user training are critical for the successful adoption and sustainability of EMR systems in Congolese public hospitals. Public health authorities should prioritise investment in robust IT infrastructure and continuous professional development programmes to enhance the operational efficiency and quality of care provided by public hospitals in DRC. Electronic Medical Records, Public Hospitals, Congolese Healthcare, EMR System Development, Pilot Testing Treatment effect was estimated with $\text{logit}(p_i)=\beta_0+\beta^\top X_i$, and uncertainty reported using confidence-interval based inference.