News

2007.10.31

Web Portal Prescribed as Aid to Canadian Healthcare Technology Woes

VANCOUVER, October 31, 2007 — BC-based company CanadianEMR (www.canadianemr.ca) has launched an online portal that gives physicians the tools to select and compare Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems. Hot Tomali has been developing a campaign to make the comparison website available to physicians and assist their decision on which system to purchase. Both organizations believe that expert guidance should be available when choosing this revolutionizing, though costly, software.

Taking essential information directly from users, the system allows them to identify suitable EMR systems based on practice size, province and physician specialty. These EMR systems are vital in allowing doctors to spend more time caring for patients and less time searching for patient information.

Thomas Stringham, Hot Tomali’s President, discussed the campaign: “We are developing a product that will influence the crucial decision when the majority of physicians across Canada choose their EMR system. CanadianEMR’s metrics are based on criteria relevant to the doctors, and are presented in a logical table that simplifies a typically overwhelming software selection process. By adding user ratings, doctors are able to make their choice based on peer recommendations, not simply the information provided by vendors. Feeling empowered with all of the information, doctors have a higher level of confidence.”

The website allows users to compare vendors and each EMR system is given a rating for its features. Doctors, who are validated current users of EMR systems, provide this five-star rating information. Rating information is currently being collated and once a representative sample is ready, the information will be displayed.

Developed by respected physician and blogger Dr. Alan Brookstone, the website is being enhanced to provide greater support to physicians currently using EMR systems. Brookstone firmly believes that doctors can transform their practices as EMR integration becomes a simpler process.

An Education Centre is in the works, and a future phase of the CanadianEMR strategy will include tools to facilitate communication amongst users of EMR systems. In addition, a vendor directory is being planned that will allow physicians to rate and recommend other services they require in their EMR-based practices such as network support, transcription services, medical practice design specialists, and additional hardware and software applications.

Brookstone also notes that it has taken other countries 5–7 years to adopt EMR systems in their entirety, “In Europe we see that once the majority of physicians integrate onto EMR systems, the rest usually follow in short order. However, Canada could well lead the way in a near complete adoption by 2011.” It is his unbiased and accessible system that is the driving force behind this shift.

CanadianEMR’s Comparison Engine has been made possible in large part by crucial support from founding sponsors: TELUS, Microsoft and Intel.

About Hot Tomali

An integrated marketing agency, Hot Tomali’s services include advertising, design, web development and broadcast production. They work with private, public and non-profit sector clients, and are frequently recognized for their work, winning more awards than their mantelpiece can handle. To learn more about Hot Tomali visit www.hottomali.com.