International survey shows 93% of Canadian primary care physicians using EMR

Although 89% of Canada’s family doctors send patient information to specialists, only about half receive information back on changes to patient care plans and medication and less than 20% receive a report with results of the specialist visit within a week of the visit. About half of family doctors in Canada reported that coordinating referrals with specialists is a major problem. Other EMR findings include:

• Only 38% of family doctors in Canada can exchange patient care summaries;
• Just over half can exchange lab and diagnostic test results; and
• About half can exchange a list of all medications taken by a patient.