Influential Factors Affecting the Effective Delivery of Services by Health Records Professionals in Selected Tertiary Teaching Hospitals in Southwestern Nigeria

Healthcare service delivery in Nigeria, particularly in the Southwestern region, faces significant challenges, including inadequate infrastructure and staffing shortages. Health records management practices are crucial for improving service delivery and health outcomes. This study examines influential factors affecting the effective delivery of services by health records professionals in selected Tertiary Teaching Hospitals in Southwestern Nigeria. The study aims to investigates factors such as staffing levels, technological infrastructure, training opportunities, and organizational barriers affecting service delivery. It also aim to assess the perceptions and challenges faced by health records professionals in delivering services effectively. A cross-sectional study design was employed, utilizing a stratified sampling technique to select 200 respondents from three Tertiary Teaching Hospitals in Southwestern Nigeria. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency tables, to present results. The study reveals positive perceptions among respondents regarding various services delivered by health records professionals. However, challenges such as inadequate staffing levels and resistance to change within organizational culture were identified. While some factors like standardized procedures (50.0% agreeing) and access to training opportunities (42.7% agreeing) were perceived positively, concerns about resource allocation equity (47.5% disagreeing) and technological infrastructure (42.5% agreeing) persisted. The findings underscore the importance of addressing systemic issues to improve health records management and service delivery. Recommendations include addressing staffing shortages, investing in technology, providing training opportunities, enforcing policies, and ensuring resource equity. Enhancing health records management practices can lead to improved patient care and healthcare service delivery in Tertiary Teaching Hospitals in Southwestern Nigeria.