Views of heads of midwifery on electronic patient records

Midwives know from experience that the history of the introduction of maternity computer systems is not entirely a positive one. The idea that such systems will invariably make their working lives easier and will benefit client care is not an idea to which they naively subscribe. The authors’ recent survey of the Heads of Midwifery (HoMs) suggests that HoMs are more optimistic about the benefits to be gained by the introduction of electronic patient records (EPRs) than some of the evidence from their past experiences with maternity computer systems might suggest. The survey results also lend support to the hypothesis that involvement of system users in the procurement of information systems will make such systems more acceptable to them. Finally midwives should mobilize their considerable experience as clinicians and as managers with regard to the introduction of maternity computer systems, both to be rightfully cautious of the claims made by EPR advocates and suppliers, and to influence procurement decisions within NHS Trusts.