Listen to this article
Estimated 4 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Newfoundland and Labrador’s new universal electronic health information system is set to go online province-wide Saturday, but some rural doctors hope for an extension in the eleventh hour.
Dr. Cynthia Slade, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association (NLMA), is asking for a break for physicians who work in rural emergency departments while running their own family clinics — oftentimes in the same building.
She explained these doctors are expected to switch to CorCare as long as they’re working from an N.L. Health Services-operated facility.
“If these family doctors are not allowed an exemption to continue using the system that they’re currently using, we’re asking for them to have two or three months where they can learn the new system in the emergency department, but continue using existing systems in their clinics,” Slade said in an interview with CBC News.
The NLMA was pleased when changes were made to the CorCare agreement earlier this month after hundreds of doctors signed a petition raising concerns about the system’s rollout. NLHS’s new agreement walked back its decision to make it mandatory for community-based physicians.
But, Slade said, it’s not quite enough.
Rural doctors would prefer a more staggered approach to the program’s rollout that would prevent them from having to cut back on their patient load.
“We know the system needs to be improved and we’re all for it,” said Slade. “We just want the opportunity to learn it properly and to not have any gaps in care or not have any compromise of patient safety.”
In a statement to CBC News, NLHS pointed to resources in place for health-care providers to ease the transition, including a 24-hour a day phone line, along with on site and virtual support.
“These system experts will be available in-person at rural health sites throughout the province to provide physicians and health-care professionals with learning and system navigation support, including orders, referrals, documentation, how‑to guidance, efficiency tips, and more,” said Allison Campbell, a spokesperson for NLHS.
The statement went on to acknowledge the “valuable input” provided by health-care partners and said NLHS remains “committed to ongoing engagement and collaboration to support a safe and effective implementation of CorCare across the province.”
WATCH | New electronic health system coming on April 25:
Doctors’ association concerned for patients as CorCare rollout looms
The president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association says doctors fear patients will be harmed if primary care doctors working in Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services facilities are required to stop using their old health information systems on April 25.
In the midst of the comprehensive system switch, Slade fears some patients will perceive doctors and nurses in their community are too busy for them, and will skip going to the emergency department, for example.
On the other hand, patients who do choose to go to the emergency department could end up waiting even longer hours than usual.
“It’s just putting a lot of stress on an already strained system,” said Slade.
The psychiatrist echoed concerns that CorCare is being rolled out too quickly and too widely in N.L., and said she doesn’t understand why it couldn’t have come in phases.
While Slade is hopeful because of the flexibility that’s been given to community-based doctors, she said a decision needs to be made quickly.
“As of Monday, these clinics will be going live and these doctors and these patients need to know if they’re going to be able to continue as they are now, or if they’re going to start restricting or closing clinics so that they can learn this system in the emergency department,” said Slade.
The health authority said in a media release Friday there may be delays for some specialty clinics and elective surgeries due to the rollout, but no appointments will be cancelled. Emergency and in-patient treatment, imaging and non-elective surgeries “will continue operating as usual.”
“Over time, patients will have a more connected experience across the system with less duplication, better continuity when care moves from one setting to another, and broader access to personal health information,” NLHS added.
Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.