Monday October 1st,
3:30 – 5:30 pm

An evaluation framework was created for Canada Health Infoway’s investments in the pan-Canadian Electronic Health Record (EHR) to support the evaluation of the impact of the EHR on healthcare processes and care outcomes. A panel of experts from the eHealth research community was assembled and subject matter experts were identified for each of Infoway’s investment programs. The updated Delone and McLean IS Success model was chosen as the foundation for the framework, and valid indicators and measurement methodologies which were relevant to the framework were added by subject matter experts. The resulting framework is comprised of dimensions of quality, system usage and net benefits. The three dimensions of net benefits (quality, access and productivity) include indicators of patient safety, appropriateness and effectiveness of care (linked with quality); access to services, patient and caregiver participation (linked with access); and efficiency, care coordination, and net costs (linked with productivity). The dimensions of quality are focused on system, information and service quality and the dimensions of system usage are use and user satisfaction. The expansion of the Delone and McLean model has resulted in a robust framework which provides structure for measuring the effect of introducing an EHR at the pan-Canadian level. Evaluation initiatives based upon the results of this work are ongoing across Canadian jurisdictions.

Gavin Giles is a Benefits Evaluation Analyst for Canada Health Infoway with a background in health informatics and health services research.  His current responsibilities at Infoway include the development and coordination of tools to assist with the planning and execution of evaluation projects. His background includes evaluation of public health planning and telemedicine systems as well as implementation and adoption of electronic medical records in Southwestern Ontario.