Newfoundland and Labrador doctors are voicing concerns over the swift introduction of a province-wide electronic health information system, fearing potential harm to patients and the likelihood of driving some physicians to retire or relocate away from the province.
The health authority in Newfoundland and Labrador is preparing to launch CorCare, an electronic health information system built on the Epic software platform widely used across Canada and the U.S., on April 25. This system aims to streamline healthcare services by replacing outdated systems like Meditech, offering a unified digital record to enhance patient care, operational efficiency, and data exchange throughout the province.
Despite the anticipated benefits, over 250 physicians in the province have raised issues regarding the system’s rollout. Many have signed a petition urging the health authority to implement CorCare gradually in stages instead of all at once.
Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi, a dermatologist in St. John’s, believes that while a province-wide electronic medical system could enhance healthcare in Newfoundland and Labrador in the long run, the current approach to implementing CorCare is flawed. He expressed concerns about the potential risks to patients when multiple changes are introduced simultaneously in various medical settings.
Community-based physicians, particularly those who manage their own practices and bill the Medical Care Plan (MCP) on a fee-for-service basis, have reservations about the mandatory 35-page agreement they must sign to access the new system for their patients. They are advocating for a delay in CorCare Link, the component that grants community physicians access to CorCare, and some argue against its mandatory nature.
Dr. Sarah Tulk, a family physician in St. John’s, emphasized the adverse impact of coercion on physician retention and recruitment in the province. She highlighted that the requirement to sign the agreement could lead to early retirement among some physicians, potentially exacerbating the existing shortage of doctors in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Concerns were also raised about the liability clause in the agreement, which community physicians fear could hold them financially responsible for breaches in the health information system, including cyberattacks.
Dr. Ogunyemi and Dr. Tulk stressed the importance of addressing these issues to prevent potential practice closures and ensure continued access to healthcare services for patients in the province.
While the health authority acknowledges the concerns raised by physicians, it has not committed to making changes to the planned implementation of CorCare. The authority stated that CorCare is scheduled for launch on April 25 and emphasized its commitment to working alongside physicians and the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association to enhance patient care through the system.