Doctors in Newfoundland and Labrador are expressing concerns over the rapid deployment of a province-wide electronic health information system, warning of potential negative impacts on patient care and the possibility of driving some physicians to retire or relocate. The new system, named CorCare and built on the Epic software platform widely used in Canada and the U.S., is scheduled to go live on April 25, according to the provincial health authority.
N.L. Health Services touts CorCare as a tool to modernize healthcare by replacing outdated systems such as Meditech. It aims to streamline patient care by providing a unified digital record to enhance efficiency, patient care, and data sharing across the region. However, over 250 physicians have signed a petition urging the health authority to phase in the CorCare system gradually to address the concerns surrounding its rollout.
Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi, a dermatologist in St. John’s, acknowledges the potential benefits of a province-wide electronic medical system but has reservations about the current implementation process. He highlights the risks associated with introducing multiple changes simultaneously across various medical settings, which could jeopardize patient safety by increasing the likelihood of errors or delays in critical tests and procedures.
Community-based physicians, particularly those running independent practices and billing on a fee-for-service basis, are particularly apprehensive about the mandatory 35-page agreement they must sign to access the CorCare system for their patients. They are advocating for a delay in the rollout of CorCare Link, a component granting community physicians system access, and questioning the obligatory nature of the agreement.
Dr. Sarah Tulk, a family physician in St. John’s, expresses concerns about the coercive nature of the agreement, arguing that it could deter physicians from working in Newfoundland and Labrador. Both Ogunyemi and Tulk have heard from colleagues considering early retirement due to the CorCare implementation. They fear that the current approach could exacerbate the province’s existing physician shortage, impacting patient access to primary care.
Physicians also voice unease about potential financial liabilities stemming from breaches in the health information system, fearing they could be held responsible for significant cyberattacks like the one experienced in October 2021. Without flexibility in the agreement terms, some physicians anticipate practice closures, further straining healthcare access in the province.
Despite these concerns, the health authority emphasized its commitment to engaging with physicians to enhance the healthcare experience for patients. While acknowledging physician feedback, N.L. Health Services has not indicated any intention to alter the current implementation timeline for CorCare, set to commence on April 25.