Electronic Medical Records (EMR)

In consideration of your future practice, you may be looking for more information on EMRs. Going electronic from the beginning of practice avoids the need for transitioning from paper-based records later on. In fact, switching to EMRs may be inevitable in the near future. Health Canada would like half of all Canadian medical records electronic by 2009 (www.strategy.cma.ca, Feb/06 edition). To support this, both Alberta and Ontario have created provincial bodies to assist physicians. In Ontario, OntarioMD.ca is a web portal run by the OMA, paid for by the Ministry of Health. It provides free access to products and services and ongoing information technology support to physicians. It also provides a listing of approved EMR products along with transitional IT support. OntarioMD additionally manages a subsidy program for EMRs (available only for certain primary care groups).

Tips on choosing a provider

• Provider track record: There is a lot of turnover in the IT business. Choose a provider that will be around for a while. Look at the size of the company and look at who their other clients are. See if their product is being used locally.
• Site visits: If you are making a serious investment, make a site visit to an office currently using the vendor’s software.
• Technical Support: Be sure that your provider is available when you need help.
• Canadian design: Many companies are not Canadian-based. Be sure your system is adapted for Canadian relevancy.
• Functionality: Pick your system based on functionality not based on how “pretty” it looks. Can you access from home in real time? Can you get all lab results from the various labs in your area? Can you integrate consultant correspondence? Can you integrate medical imaging where applicable?

Good luck!

Additional resources:

Ontario MD
For a list of certified products and lots of other helpful step-by-step instructions on negotiating a contract, choosing a vendor, etc. Some information is generic so its useful even if you are not planning to practice in Ontario.

Canadian Medical Association
Try looking at the “Future Practice Magazine” for interesting articles. There is also a book available: "Physician's Guide to implementing electronic medical records".

Canadian EMR
A very comprehensive pan-Canadian blog on EMRs.