This study focused on EMR users in primary healthcare settings and did not include EMR users in hospitals. The application of purposive sampling strategy in the recruitment of physicians during this study is also a limitation. Since the respondents were self-selected, it might mean that this study had many EMR enthusiasts. Vandetanib order Conclusion Clinicians have a positive perception regarding the application of the EMR in the primary care outpatient practices. However, several themes emerged during this study that need to be considered to enhance the EMR system. Therefore, further studies need to be conducted by focusing on

other medical users and patients in viewing their attitude and perception about the EMR system. Adapting the system to needs and diagnosis common to the PHC setting and offering continuous training and technical support would assist in convincing apprehensive EMR users. Recommendations A crucial subsequent

step is selecting from the themes which emerged in the study, the themes that are most commonly mentioned or most important to physicians, and to formulate a hypothesis about the mechanisms by which these beliefs might shape acceptance and user behaviour. A follow-up survey should be implemented on nurses, pharmacists, patients and other groups so as to understand their beliefs and attitudes about the EMR system. The findings which correspond with those of other studies or refer to issues that have a negative impact on services and can be rectified should be communicated to authorities and IT vendors to seek solutions to improve and adjust future applications. Supplementary Material Author’s manuscript: Click here to view.(3.3M, pdf) Reviewer comments: Click here to view.(138K, pdf) Acknowledgments The authors thank the study participants for their kind cooperation and time, all managers of clinics included in the study for their co-operation and support, and those involved in the process of our research. Thanks especially to Mrs Maria Cristina—Community

Medicine Department and Dr Latifa Al Ketbi—Department of Family Medicine. Footnotes Contributors: DAB was the moderator of the focus group. SAA was the principal investigator and the coordinator of the study. SAA and AAD contributed to the analysis, interpretation and preparation of the manuscripts with inputs from all authors. EAMP, DAB and MAD were involved in editing the article or revising Batimastat it critically for important intellectual content. All authors contributed to the concept and design of the study, and have read and approved the final manuscript. Funding: This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors. Competing interests: None. Patient consent: Obtained. Ethics approval: The proposal for this study was approved by IRB of the Al Ain Medical District Human Research Ethics Committee, protocol No. SO11-3.