Master’s in Health Informatics at the University of Rwanda, 2015

Degree in Computer Engineering and Information Technology at Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (K.I.S.T), 2008

Zam Zam Kalume received the degree in Computer Engineering and Information Technology from Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Rwanda, 2008. Worked as an IT Manager in a Microfinance institution for 4 years. Completed her master’s degree of Health Informatics from University of Rwanda (UR), in 2015. Worked as a Senior Sales Account Manager at Broadband Systems Corporation (BSC – Rwanda) and Airtel Rwanda for 4 years and 2 years respectively. Currently doing her PhD with the Department of Electronics and Informatics examining the Integration of Electronic Medical Record to Improve Healthcare Service.

Patient referral is a process in which a health practitioner at one level having insufficient resources to manage a clinical condition decide to seek assistance at higher level since information sharing between the two levels is key for the continuity of care.

Furthermore, paper-based referral in developing country hardly follows any procedure. While a major gap is observed in communication and coordination between the primary care and specialty care which cause care delay, duplication, unnecessary cost, and poor access to specialty care.

The aim of this study is to explore challenges with the existing paper-based referral system, also, assess new functionalities requirement and specification analysis for the electronic referral form, furthermore, develop an electronic referral module with integrated appointment booking processes that may accompany an urgent referral.

Certainly, this module will enhance the performance of health system through usage of electronic patient referral with a potential advantage of facilitating data flow and clinical communication between primary and secondary care ultimately achieve the improved quality of healthcare also reduce duplication.