SMA Digest (Winter 2015) v.55, i.1 | Page 22

HEALTH CARE 2014 eHealth Conference deemed By Darlene Osborne O ver 200 attendees gathered at the Queensbury Convention Centre in Regina on Friday, October 3 to experience eHealth Saskatchewan’s and the Saskatchewan EMR Program’s first conference examining the Evolution of Patient Care through EMRs. Judging by comments shared throughout the day and a half event as well as evaluation feedback, the conference was very well received. (See Evaluation Highlights and a Conference Summary in the EMR section of the SMA website). Friday morning featured a variety of speakers addressing developments in Saskatchewan’s Electronic Health Record as well as the challenges and benefits of maturing one’s EMR utilization (see Conference Summary for agenda and presentations). Friday afternoon and Saturday morning were dedicated to hands-on EMR training for both QHR Technologies Accuro and Telus Med Access users. Two different content streams for physicians and support staff were offered with the vendors available on site to address specific questions. Training was delivered by eHealth Saskatchewan Peer Program leaders, who support Saskatchewan physicians and medical office staff free of charge in their efforts to optimize eHealth solutions. Also, a sponsor showcase was set up for attendees to learn more about the services and programs they offered. The conference offered physicians the opportunity to advance their EMR utilization through the training sessions as well as one-on-one assistance from peer physician leaders. 20 SMA DIGEST | WINTER 2015 BIG SUCCESS This opportunity to have up to eight hours of dedicated EMR training along with face-to-face access for individual questions was a great draw for conference attendees. All participants were keen to advance their EMR utilization to a higher level. Also, the training program was accredited by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Saskatchewan chapter for up to eight Mainpro-M21 credits. In 2015, EMR training workshops will be provided by the approved vendors in Saskatchewan: QHR Technologies and Telus Health. QHR Technologies is offering a day of Accuro EMR education in both Regina (May 5) and Saskatoon (May 6). Go to www.qhrtechnologies.com/landing/ki for more information and to register. Telus also plans to offer Med Access training, with more information available later on this year. The additional benefits offered by the conference to network and exchange information and best practices to advance EMR utilization are recognized by its organizers, eHealth Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan EMR Program. The next EMR conference offering is tentatively scheduled for spring 2016. The sponsor showcase was a popular stop for conference attendees who appreciated the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about their various programs and services.