Informatics: Enhancing the clinical experience?

The aim of this research is to investigate the role and impact of primary care based Electronic Patient Record (EPR) implementation in British Columbia¿s Health System, in terms of the therapeutic relationship and health outcomes. This aim will be met through the use of a blended methodology, utilising both quantitative and qualitative techniques, based around a three-arm comparison study. There are two research questions that will be addressed by this research: 1. What affect does the use of a primary care based EPR have on patient care, in terms of the therapeutic relationship, health outcomes and quality of care?; 2. Which of the declared benefits, accredited to EPR implementation and use, are real and which are myths? Of those that are real, what are the causal factors? All primary care based healthcare providers in British Columbia will be invited to participate in the study. This study proposes unique research that has not been undertaken, to this extent, anywhere in the world to date. The evidence base for the use of primary care based EPRs with reference to the impact on care itself is almost non-existent. Therefore, this study will be a seminal piece of research that will address a large number of outstanding questions as well as providing an evidence base for future research and development in this area. This research study is therefore extremely important and relevant to both healthcare providers and patients as well as to policy makers and decision makers.