Gaps in primary healthcare electronic medical record research and knowledge: findings of a pan-Canadian study

Amanda L Terry; Moira Stewart; Martin Fortin; Sabrina T Wong; Maureen Kennedy; Fred Burge; Richard Birtwhistle; Inese Grava-Gubins; Greg Webster; Amardeep Thind

Gaps in primary healthcare electronic medical record research and knowledge: findings of a pan-Canadian study

Healthc Policy. 2014;10(1):46-59.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Assistant Professor, Centre for Studies in Family Medicine, Departments of Family Medicine and Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich Faculty in Public Health, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON.
² Distinguished University Professor, Centre for Studies in Family Medicine, Departments of Family Medicine and Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON.
³ Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC.
⁴ Associate Professor, UBC School of Nursing and Centre for Health Services and Policy Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.
⁵ Research Assistant, Centre for Studies in Family Medicine Department of Family Medicine, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON.
⁶ Professor and Research Director, Department of Family Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS.
⁷ Professor and Director of the Centre for Studies in Primary Care, Department of Family Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON.
⁸ Director of Research, College of Family Physicians of Canada, Mississauga, ON.
⁹ Director of the Acute and Ambulatory Care Information Services, Canadian Institute for Health Information, Toronto, ON.
¹⁰ Professor, Centre for Studies in Family Medicine, Department of Family Medicine and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Director, Schulich Interfaculty Program in Public Health, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON.

PMID: 25410695
PMCID: PMC4253895

Abstract
in English, French

While the barriers to electronic medical record (EMR) adoption by physicians are well-known, we have much less knowledge about the broader challenges regarding EMR use faced by primary healthcare (PHC) EMR stakeholders in Canada. Therefore, we conducted interviews (from June 2009 to September 2010) and consultation sessions (in October and November 2009) with these stakeholders, as well as carrying out a research capacity assessment, to identify, describe and prioritize gaps in PHC EMR knowledge and research. Twelve thematic gaps emerged; four were identified as the most important: the need to ascertain the value of EMRs, the need to better understand elements of EMR implementation and adoption, the need to develop innovative data entry and extraction procedures, and a lack of agreement and understanding of data sharing. To advance EMR use, Canada needs to address these gaps; yet, we currently have a lack of research capacity with which to accomplish this.

On connaît bien les obstacles auxquels se heurte l'adoption des dossiers médicaux électroniques (DME) par les médecins, mais il y a peu de données sur les grands défis liés à l'utilisation des DME auxquels font face les intervenants en soins de santé primaires (SSP) au Canada. C'est pourquoi nous avons mené des entrevues (de juin 2009 à septembre 2010) et des consultations (en octobre et novembre 2009) auprès de ces intervenants, en plus de mener une évaluation des capacités de recherche pour repérer, décrire et prioriser les lacunes dans la recherche et les connaissances sur les DME dans les SSP. Douze thèmes lacunaires ont émergé; quatre ont été qualifiés des plus importants: le besoin de déterminer la valeur des DME, le besoin de mieux comprendre les éléments de mise en œuvre et d'adoption des DME, le besoin d'innover en matière d'entrée et d'extraction des données, et le manque de consensus et de compréhension au sujet du partage des données. Pour faire progresser l'utilisation des DME, le Canada devra affronter ces lacunes; il y a cependant un manque de capacités de recherche pour y parvenir.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Attitude of Health Personnel
Canada
Data Collection
Electronic Health Records* / standards
Health Services Research / standards*
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Primary Health Care*
Qualitative Research

Grants and funding

NGA 92851/Canadian Institutes of Health Research/Canada

Abstract in English, French

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding

Abstract
in English, French