Electronic medical records: Moving beyond adoption and toward optimal use
Most eHealth observers agree that the electronic medical record (EMR) systems in hospitals, health networks and individual medical practices are not being used to their full potential. On Oct. 15, 2011, a group of EMR experts from the Greater Toronto Area convened at the Rogers Campus in downtown Toronto for a workshop to address this gap. Moderated by eHealth consultant Michael Martineau, the workshop unfolded as an informal think-tank session, with an emphasis on a candid exchange of ideas across four topic areas: quality of care, advanced EMR use, the future of EMR, and patient engagement. This report highlights the workshop’s key discussion points and outcomes.