Dissemination hypothesis prescribes utilization of interpersonal channels of correspondence as they are all the more intense in making or changing solid demeanors held by a person. This review coming at a phase when EMR adoption in the African; developing countries can be described to be at the earliest stages and considering the blended response of EMR execution from various parts of the world, profited from dispersion of advancement hypothesis particularly in testing social issues in the medicinal services group, for example, EMR change process and specialized factors affecting the adoption of the system. The diffusion theory five steps of innovation-decision process involve the following;

Adoption of Electronic Medical Records in Developing Countries 10  The persuasion step  The decision step  The implementation stage  The confirmation step  The figure below shows a model of the 5 innovation and decision process stages Figure1.1. Model of five stages in the innovation-decision process Source: Everett Rogers (1995) 2.2. Conceptual framework The variables presented in this thesis paper were derived from characteristics which the research considered measurable. These were grouped in three main stages in the process of implementation of the EMRs system. These are; the pre-implementation phase, the implementation phase and the post- implementation.

Adoption of Electronic Medical Records in Developing Countries 11 This thesis applied a conceptual model which diffused different approaches of innovation in picking and identifying measurable variables for the study. The studies independent variables were focused on issues likely to arise during the pre-implementation phase. The various determinants for EMR implementation preparedness were covered. These include the following; budget, planning, standards availability and the ICT infrastructure available. The issues related to the implementation phase were used to formulate the moderating variables. These include issues such as; the management of the project, EMR quality assurance, user involvement and the implementation of the various standards set. The dependent variables included the various outcomes which were expected after the EMR systems were implemented in the health organizations. The figure below shows schematic representation of the conceptual framework Figure1.2. Conceptual framework

Adoption of Electronic Medical Records in Developing Countries 12 Source: Researcher 3.0. Literature review 3.1. Introduction EMR refers to computerized data management system in which data in a health facility is collected, stored and disseminated (Smaltz & Eta, 2007). This system is more than a normal electronic storage of data system but instead incorporates different techniques and formulas in which data can be efficiently and effectively be managed. This system according to Luo requires a computer-based system which is used in the management of the various data that is presented on the patients of a particular health facility. For an EMR system to be considered fully functional it must provide; a