Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Robotic Process Automation has become one of the more actively explored innovations in the design of modern electronic health records, promising gains in efficiency and reliability that legacy, largely manual approaches have struggled to deliver.

Despite this potential, many existing electronic health records were not originally designed with robotic process automation in mind, resulting in persistent gaps in data security that limit their overall effectiveness. This study examines how Robotic Process Automation can be applied to help close that gap.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Existing approaches to data security within electronic health records remain largely reactive and fragmented, with little systematic use of robotic process automation despite its demonstrated value elsewhere. This study addresses the resulting gap by designing and evaluating a solution built specifically around robotic process automation.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To design and implement a robotic process automation-based approach to improving data security in electronic health records.
2. To evaluate the effectiveness of Robotic Process Automation in enhancing data security within electronic health records.
3. To identify the key requirements and constraints relevant to deploying robotic process automation in this context.
4. To assess user and stakeholder perception of the resulting system.

1.4 Research Questions

1. How can robotic process automation be applied to improve data security in electronic health records?
2. How effective is Robotic Process Automation at enhancing data security within electronic health records?
3. What requirements and constraints are relevant to deploying robotic process automation in this context?
4. How do users and stakeholders perceive the resulting system?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study is significant to software developers and system architects seeking practical guidance on applying Robotic Process Automation within electronic health records. It is equally relevant to organizations that rely on these systems, offering a reference point for evaluating whether such an investment is justified, and it adds to the growing body of work on robotic process automation applications in software technology / IT.

1.6 Scope of the Study

As a MSc-level study, its scope is confined to designing and evaluating a robotic process automation-based solution for electronic health records, focused specifically on data security; broader deployment considerations fall outside this scope.