title: Gaps in primary healthcare electronic medical record research and knowledge: findings of a pan-Canadian study.
abstract: While the barriers to electronic medical record (EMR) adoption by physicians are well-known, we have much less knowledge about the broader challenges regarding EMR use faced by primary healthcare (PHC) EMR stakeholders in Canada. Therefore, we conducted interviews (from June 2009 to September 2010) and consultation sessions (in October and November 2009) with these stakeholders, as well as carrying out a research capacity assessment, to identify, describe and prioritize gaps in PHC EMR knowledge and research. Twelve thematic gaps emerged; four were identified as the most important: the need to ascertain the value of EMRs, the need to better understand elements of EMR implementation and adoption, the need to develop innovative data entry and extraction procedures, and a lack of agreement and understanding of data sharing. To advance EMR use, Canada needs to address these gaps; yet, we currently have a lack of research capacity with which to accomplish this.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Centre for Studies in Family Medicine, Departments of Family Medicine and Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich Faculty in Public Health, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON.
authors.forename: Amanda L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Terry
authors.affiliation: Distinguished University Professor, Centre for Studies in Family Medicine, Departments of Family Medicine and Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON.
authors.forename: Moira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fortin
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, UBC School of Nursing and Centre for Health Services and Policy Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.
authors.forename: Sabrina T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Research Assistant, Centre for Studies in Family Medicine Department of Family Medicine, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON.
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.affiliation: Professor and Research Director, Department of Family Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS.
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Burge
authors.affiliation: Professor and Director of the Centre for Studies in Primary Care, Department of Family Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Birtwhistle
authors.affiliation: Director of Research, College of Family Physicians of Canada, Mississauga, ON.
authors.forename: Inese
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Grava-Gubins
authors.affiliation: Director of the Acute and Ambulatory Care Information Services, Canadian Institute for Health Information, Toronto, ON.
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Webster
authors.affiliation: Professor, Centre for Studies in Family Medicine, Department of Family Medicine and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Director, Schulich Interfaculty Program in Public Health, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON.
authors.forename: Amardeep
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thind
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002170:Canada; D003625:Data Collection; D057286:Electronic Health Records / Q000592:standards; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care; D036301:Qualitative Research