Improving satisfaction of non-English-speaking dental students using the electronic dental record

Abstract

Electronic dental record (EDR) with dental diagnostic terminology (DDT) is an innovation in health information technology as it contributes to the oral health system of the Dominican Republic and other Spanish-speaking countries. The implementation and use of electronic health record and EDR in developing countries is limited, and there is lack of standardized Spanish terminology reflected in current EDRs. The evaluation of student satisfaction relevant to the use of EDR/DDT provided valuable information regarding the design and implementation of EDR/DDT at Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE) in the Dominican Republic as well as other Spanish-speaking dental colleges and public and private practices. The development of EHR and EDR, especially in developing countries, is a process full of challenges and barriers. This investigator used a quantitative approach within a non-experimental correlational design and a cross sectional survey with a non-probabilistic sample. Research questions determined which is the overall satisfaction of third- and fourth-year dental students with the use of UNIBE’s EDR/DDT as well as function expectancy, effort expectancy, attitude, social influence, facilitating conditions and training, autoeficacy, anxiety, and intention to use. The satisfaction survey consisted of a modified version of a validated EDR study translated into Spanish. A log file analysis of student interaction with the EDR system was also be completed. Descriptive statistics, cross tabulation, and Pearson correlation coefficient were presented in the results.