Abstract
BackgroundAs health care becomes more complex, it becomes more important for clinicians and patients to share information. Electronic health information exchange can help address this need. To this end, all provinces and territories (PTs) in Canada have created interoperable electronic health records (iEHRs). These secure systems offer authorized users an integrated view of a person’s healthcare history across the continuum of care. They include information such as lab results, medications, diagnostic images, clinical reports and immunization profiles. This study explores user experiences and perceived outcomes of iEHR use.MethodsSurveys conducted between 2006 and 2014 asked iEHR users in six Canadian PTs about system, information and service quality; iEHR use and user satisfaction; and net quality and productivity benefits. The surveys had a core set of questions that used Likert-type scales. Results were synthesized across surveys for each evaluative dimension. Consensus among researchers and subject matter experts on whether to classify the outcomes as positive, mixed/neutral, or negative was established using a modified Delphi technique.ResultsA total of 2316 iEHR users responded to the six surveys. Information quality was the most studied area. Results varied across PTs, but positive outcomes were more common than mixed/neutral or negative outcomes by a 19:1:1 ratio across this dimension. The next most frequently studied aspects were user satisfaction, the impact of iEHR use on quality of care, and the impact on productivity. In all three areas, there were more positive than mixed/neutral or /negative results (ratios of 13:1:1, 14:3:1, and 15:2:1respectively).ConclusionsOverall, users of iEHRs that provide secure access to patient information collated from across the health system tend to report positive outcomes, including quality of care and productivity. This study is an important first step in understanding user perspectives on iEHRs and health information exchange more broadly.
Highlights
As health care becomes more complex, it becomes more important for clinicians and patients to share information
Each question is aligned with a dimension of the benefit evaluation framework
Additional information was available in some cases, such as medications, clinical reports and immunization profiles
Summary
As health care becomes more complex, it becomes more important for clinicians and patients to share information. Electronic health information exchange can help address this need To this end, all provinces and territories (PTs) in Canada have created interoperable electronic health records (iEHRs). All provinces and territories (PTs) in Canada have created interoperable electronic health records (iEHRs) These secure systems offer authorized users an integrated view of a person’s healthcare history across the continuum of care. We see more health care providers, take more medications, and access a broader range of health services than in the past This means that it is increasingly important that health care providers who care for the same patient share information. In Canada, the federal and provincial/territorial (‘PT’) governments began investments in the creation of interoperable electronic health records (iEHRs) more than a decade ago These secure and private systems available to authorized users offer an integrated view of an individual’s health and health care history.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
