Statement on Auditor General’s report on electronic medical records

“When the New Brunswick Medical Society and provincial government launched the Provincial Electronic Medical Record (EMR) program in 2011, our province had one of the lowest rates of EMR adoption in the country. Today, many more physicians are using EMRs in their practices. We exceeded our original goal of implementing more than 400 physicians into the Provincial EMR program and enabling more team-based care through our Family Medicine New Brunswick program. In addition, more than 1,000 medical office assistants, nurse practitioners, medical learners, and others working in health care are using EMRs to enhance patient care. As with any new technology and change in practice patterns there were challenges over the life of the Provincial EMR program. The market for EMRs in Canada consolidated through acquisition and evolved rapidly. Consequently, we worked with government to review the EMR program and ultimately moved to an open market for EMR vendors. We remain committed to collaborating with the provincial government on EMR adoption in New Brunswick.”

Dr. Jeff Steeves, President, New Brunswick Medical Society