Preliminary data from the CMA's 2002 Physician Resource Questionnaire (PRQ) indicate that just 3% of Canadian physicians use only electronic media to store active patient records, while 24% use a combination of electronic and paper media. A majority of physicians (69%) use only paper.
GP/FPs are less likely to use electronic patient records or a combination of electronic and paper (21%) than medical specialists (35%) and surgical specialists (31%).
Among those who use electronic patient records alone or with paper records, less than half (38%) receive data (such as laboratory results and pharmacy information) directly into the records. Surgical specialists are somewhat less likely (30%) to receive data directly into electronic records than are GP/FPs and medical specialists (40%).
More than three-quarters (76%) of MDs said improving how patient information is shared is an important or very important potential benefit of electronic health records (EHRs). Sixty-eight percent indicated that improvements to clinical processes or work-flow efficiency — and improvements to continuity of care — are important or very important potential benefits.
Only 37% felt that potential improvements to patient satisfaction are an important or very important benefit of electronic patient records.
The CMA says adoption of the EHR has been sporadic because of the complex issues surrounding its use. As a result, it identified the creation of standards for use of the EHR as a priority project in 2000. More recently the CMA has developed working principles and recommendations for discussion to help advance the development of EHRs in Canada.
The PRQ is the CMA's annual survey of about 7700 physicians. This year's response rate was 37%. — Shelley Martin, Senior Analyst, Research, Policy and Planning Directorate, CMA