HEALTH RECORD MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN FEDERAL NEURO PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, MAIDUGURI: EFFECT OF E-GOVERNANCE

Effective health record management is critical to the delivery of quality healthcare services, particularly in resource-constrained settings. In many developing countries, persistent reliance on paper-based systems has undermined efficiency, accuracy, and continuity of care. This study examined the effect of e-governance on health record management practices in the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Maiduguri (FNPHM), with specific focus on patient referral and record management practices. Guided by the Technology Acceptance Model, the study adopted a quantitative cross-sectional research design. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire from 202 staff members selected through simple random sampling. The instrument demonstrated acceptable reliability, and data were analyzed using linear regression techniques. Findings revealed a moderate and statistically significant positive relationship between e-governance and patient referral indicating that increased use of e-governance tools enhances referral efficiency and coordination. Similarly, e-governance was found to have a moderate and significant positive effect on record management practices accounting for improved creation, storage, retrieval, and sharing of patient records. The study concludes that e-governance plays a crucial role in strengthening health record management and referral processes at FNPHM. It recommends increased investment in advanced e-governance infrastructure, such as online referral systems, alongside continuous capacity building for staff to maximize the benefits of electronic health record management systems.