Physicians embrace EMRs but barriers remain to connected care

The 2024 National Survey of Canadian Physicians, conducted by Canada Health Infoway and the Canadian Medical Association, indicates a significant increase in the use of electronic records for clinical documentation among physicians, rising from 87% in 2021 to 95% in 2024. This marks a substantial transformation from just 39% in 2010. While there has been progress in the adoption of electronic records, especially in family medicine, the uptake of digital tools that enable connected care and information sharing within the circle of care remains limited. Only a minority of physicians report sending referrals or clinical summaries electronically, using digital tools that facilitate connected care. Nearly three-quarters of physicians cite system fragmentation and lack of integration as significant barriers.