# Digital health records: an essential yet neglected step in Iraq

## TL;DR

This paper discusses the importance of digital health records in Iraq and the challenges in implementing them.

## Contribution

The paper presents a focused analysis on Iraq's specific barriers and solutions for adopting digital health systems.

## Key findings

- Digital health records can significantly improve medical practice and patient satisfaction.
- Major barriers include patient, provider, and resource-related issues.
- Awareness and education are key to overcoming these barriers.

## Abstract

It is within medicine’s nature to continuously evolve and make use of all the new technologies and advancements to enhance patient care. Digital health records have emerged as a vital tool for adhering to these recent developments. These medical databases have substantially enhanced medical practice and patient satisfaction. Yet, many low- and middle-income countries lack a foundational structure for this vital initiative. This study aims to highlight the potential advantages of implementing digital database infrastructure in Iraq, alongside exploring the possible obstacles and providing practical solutions to address those barriers. The major challenges that hinder our ability to implement a digital health system can be classified into: patient-sided barriers, provider-sided barriers and resource limitations. To overcome these barriers, our governmental efforts must encourage change through providing awareness, educational programs and resources as needed.