Workload, Motivation, and Nursesing Compliance with Electronic Documentation: A Cross-Sectional Study in Indonesia
Abstract
Background: The global adoption of electronic medical records (EMRs) has transformed nursing documentation and is expected to improve patient safety, quality of care, and clinical efficiency. Nevertheless, nurses’ compliance with electronic nursing documentation remains problematic, particularly in low- and middle-income countries such as Indonesia. Workload and work motivation are frequently suggested as determinants of documentation compliance, yet empirical evidence from Indonesian hospitals is still limited. Objective: To examine the relationship between workload and work motivation with nurses’ compliance in electronic nursing documentation in inpatient units of a provincial teaching hospital in Indonesia. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 90 inpatient nurses selected by simple random sampling. Workload was measured using the NASA Task Load Index, motivation was assessed with a structured questionnaire based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, and documentation compliance was evaluated through a retrospective audit of electronic records based on national standards. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression (p < 0.05). Results: Most nurses experienced high to very high workload levels. Workload was significantly associated with documentation compliance (p < 0.05) and remained a significant predictor in logistic regression (OR = 0.040). Motivation showed no significant independent effect (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Nurses’ compliance with electronic nursing documentation was primarily influenced by workload rather than individual motivation. Improving workload management and aligning EMR design with nursing workflows are essential to enhance documentation quality and support sustainable digital transformation in Indonesian nursing practice.
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