Abstract
The digitalisation of medical records has emerged as a critical reform in modern healthcare systems, aiming to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility of patient data. In Gauteng, South Africa’s economic hub, primary healthcare services still rely heavily on paper-based patient document management, posing significant challenges in data handling, retrieval, and long-term storage. This study examines the extent of paper-based patient documentation in Gauteng’s primary healthcare system, highlighting its limitations and inefficiencies. Using qualitative desk research, the study also presents findings on the emerging trend of automating patient documentation, exploring how automation is addressing these inefficiencies. The analysis delves into the technological advancements being adopted to transition Gauteng's primary healthcare towards full automation of medical records, offering a critical assessment of the systemic challenges, including infrastructure gaps and data security concerns. This empirical investigation ultimately underscores the need for a comprehensive digital transformation strategy that balances the benefits of automation with the realities of South Africa’s healthcare system, ensuring sustainable and inclusive access to healthcare data. The study seeks to highlight the importance of digitalising medical records in primary health care and how this transition will have a positive impact on service delivery.