Abstract
<p>Objective: To examine current and developing data management roles and opportunities for health librarians<br />to become involved in electronic medical record (EMR) initiatives. This paper focuses on the Canadian context but has implications farther afield. Methods: To accomplish a state-of-the-art review, searches were conducted in the library and information science databases (LISTA, LISA), biomedical databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE), and on the web for grey literature. Keywords included: clinical librarian, health science librarian, medical librarian, hospital librarian, medical informationist, electronic medical record, EMR, electronic health record, EHR, data management, data curation, health informatics, e-science, and e-science librarianship. MeSH subject headings used were: Medical Records Systems, Computerized/, Electronic Health Records/, and libraries/. Results: There is little evidence of Canadian health librarians’ current involvement in EMR initiatives, but examples from the United States indicate that health librarians’ participation is primarily in system implementation, creating links to the medical literature, and using EMRs to provide patient health information. Further roles for health librarians are emerging in this area as health librarians draw on their core competencies and learn from e-science librarianship to create new opportunities. Data management examples from e-science librarianship, such as building data dictionaries and data management plans and infrastructure, give further direction to health librarians’ involvement in EMRs. Conclusion: As EMRs gradually become more popular in Canada, Canadian health librarians should seek further opportunities for education and outreach to become more involved with these EMR initiatives.</p>
Highlights
Before we delve into the current state of electronic medical record (EMR) initiatives in Canada and potential data management roles for health librarians, it is important to define the terms
The literature search indicated that few Canadian health librarians have participated in EMR initiatives
There are differences in our medical systems, Canadian health librarians may be able to look to the United States for examples of health librarians’ involvement in EMR initiatives
Summary
Before we delve into the current state of electronic medical record (EMR) initiatives in Canada and potential data management roles for health librarians, it is important to define the terms. EMR and electronic health record (EHR) are often used interchangeably, but incorrectly so. An EHR is a patient’s digital medical record ‘‘that is shared through a network that can link information from different locations’’ [1]. An EMR, is an electronic and local record for use within only a specific, local health care centre that enables access to a patient’s information online [1]. EHRs in Canada are currently being implemented at both the national and provincial level. The process of establishing provincewide and nationwide EHRs, is often costly; the British Columbia Office of the Auditor General estimated that by 31 March 2013 the cost of implementing EHR systems in British Columbia had reached $222 million [2]
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