Adoption of Digital Technology for the Efficient Use of Human Resources in the Health Sector of Bangladesh: Barriers and the Ways to Overcome

Abstract

Background: Bangladesh has initiated efforts to implement digital tools for Human Resources for Health (HRH) management. Objective: This study aimed to identify the barriers to adopting digital technology for HRH management and propose solutions to enhance its efficiency in Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional mixed-method study was conducted between March and June 2023. The study included 320 Human Resources (HR) and Information Systems (IS) personnel at various managerial levels from purposively selected hospitals across multiple districts in Bangladesh. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire, validated for accuracy, coded, and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Additionally, qualitative insights were obtained through Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with 10 key informants. Results: Among the respondents, 75% were categorized as HRIS adapters, 21% as statisticians, and 2% as pioneers or stragglers. Approximately 67% of participants reported HRIS systems as challenging to use, and 72% found them difficult to learn. Despite these challenges, all respondents recognized the potential of HRIS to enhance organizational efficiency, although 83.8% considered the associated costs prohibitive. Furthermore, 95% and 97% of participants, respectively, emphasized the need for senior management to support HRIS adaptation and middle management to facilitate its implementation. Key barriers identified included unreliable power supply, insufficient internet connectivity, limited motivation to enforce relevant policies, inadequate digital literacy interventions, resource shortages for technological infrastructure, constrained budgetary allocations, and poor coordination among government institutions. Recommendations to address these barriers included enhancing motivation for digital adoption, ensuring a dedicated power supply, providing 24/7 internet access, and increasing resource and budgetary allocations for technological devices. Conclusion: The findings underscore a shared understanding of the importance of IT skills, databases, and software systems for effective HRIS implementation.