Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34392832›Full record

ArticleBMC health services research2021

The current and potential uses of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) data for primary health care performance measurement in the Canadian context: a qualitative analysis.

Erica Barbazza, Sara Allin, Mary Byrnes, Andrea D Foebel, Tanya Khan, Patricia Sidhom, Niek S Klazinga, Dionne S Kringos

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC health services research, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
13citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

13 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. A Systematic Review of Electronic Medical Record Driven Quality Measurement and Feedback Systems.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022
    Pooled it
  3. Monitoring performance and improving outcomes: characteristics and outputs of Australian clinical registries.Health information management : journal of the Health Information Management Association of Australia · 2026
    Article
  4. Article
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  9. Real world challenges in maintaining data integrity in electronic health records in a cancer program.Technical innovations & patient support in radiation oncology · 2024
    Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Erica BarbazzaDepartment of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. e.s.barbazza@amsterdamumc.nl.
Sara AllinInstitute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Mary ByrnesCanadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), Toronto, Canada.
Andrea D FoebelCanadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), Toronto, Canada.
Tanya KhanCanadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), Toronto, Canada.
Patricia SidhomCanadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), Toronto, Canada.
Niek S KlazingaDepartment of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Dionne S KringosDepartment of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Funding

Horizon 2020 Framework Programme Nr. 765141
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundElectronic Medical Records (EMRs) are a rich data source to measure and improve quality of care. As Canadian primary health care (PHC) EMRs mature, there is increasing potential use of EMR data for performance measurement. This study identifies and describes current uses of EMR data for performance measurement and considerations to further its potential in the Canadian context.

methodsWe applied a qualitative case study design and descriptive assessment in three phases, consulting multiple data sources including scientific and grey literature, system leaders (n = 41), and clinician/researchers (n = 20). Phases included a multimethod approach to identify initiatives using EMR data for performance measurement across Canadian jurisdictions; in-depth review of current initiatives identified from a healthcare performance intelligence lens; and triangulation and thematic analysis across data sources to explore considerations for advancing performance measurement uses of EMR data in the Canadian context.

resultsSix initiatives of EMR data use for performance measurement were identified: one multi-jurisdictional; five jurisdiction-specific in the provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario. EMR data uses were predominately for micro-level PHC physician and team performance improvement, with some use for meso-level organization/network-wide improvement. Indicator sets varied in number, though shared emphasis on chronic disease management and prevention/screening and to a lesser extent medication management. Key considerations for governing, resourcing and implementing EMR data for performance measurement were identified.

conclusionsThe extent of EMR data use for performance measurement varies across Canada. To further its potential, pan-Canadian data and privacy standards, performance intelligence competencies and renewed core PHC indicators should be prioritized. Experiences across countries, coupled with increasing momentum for performance measurement using real-world data, should be leveraged to avoid unnecessarily slow progress in Canada and abroad.

Indexed as

Electronic Health RecordsPrimary Health CareChronic DiseaseDelivery of Health CareHumansOntarioCanadaElectronic Medical RecordsPerformance indicatorsPrimary health careQuality measurementQuality of health care

Identifiers

PMID34392832
PMCPMC8364440

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.