The Decibel Canada’s fragmented medical records system
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Aug 26, 2025 Chris Hannay, a seasoned healthcare business reporter at The Globe and Mail, delves into the chaotic landscape of Canada’s fragmented medical records system. He highlights the struggles patients face in accessing their own data and the inefficiencies that plague healthcare providers. Hannay explores potential solutions for better interoperability, criticizes the dominance of certain electronic record companies, and discusses how Canada's system compares to those in Australia and the EU, all while emphasizing the urgent need for reform to improve patient care.
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Patchwork Of Record Systems
- Canada's medical record handling is highly local and inconsistent across providers and facilities.
- Some places use advanced systems while others still rely on paper and faxes, creating major variability.
Late Discovery Through Access Requests
- A widow in PEI took two years and filed access-to-information requests to retrieve her late husband's records.
- She discovered an uncommunicated genetic test result that indicated a more aggressive cancer than they had been told.
Repeat Scans In The ER
- An ER doctor couldn't access a private clinic's ultrasound and had to order a repeat scan in the ER.
- The repeat used scarce resources and increased patient stress and wait times.