Contribute EMR Data
When Primary Care Providers contribute their patients' EMR data, it allows POPLAR to support quality improvement activities that are applicable across Ontario. We invite all Primary Care Providers in Ontario to contribute their data to the POPLAR Database at ICES.​
Who can contribute data?
We welcome all Primary Care Providers in Ontario using one of the three main EMR (TELUS Practice Solutions, OSCAR or Accuro) to contribute their data to POPLAR. Data Sharing Agreements are signed between Health Information Custodians (HICs) and ICES. If a Primary Care Provider operates as part of a larger Team or Organization, they may not be the HIC for their patients' EMRs. Please see the flow chart below to determine if you are a HIC. [INSERT Are you a HIC flowchart]
Do I get anything back from contributing data?
You make a major contribution to Primary Care for today and for tomorrow. Methods for the return of cleaned, comparable data are currently under development.
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Those who contribute data to POPLAR have the opportunity to be provided with data results for Quality Improvement (QI). This includes receiving reports about quality indicators important to you, helping you to complete the data-driven part of the CPSO QI Program more efficiently.
Why is information on care in our practices important?
Primary Care Practices are often the first point of contact for health and illness-related care, making it the backbone of the healthcare system. The information in our EMRs reflects Primary Care in ways that other data sources simply cannot capture. It provides evidence and insights into the central role Primary Care Providers and the members of our teams play in our healthcare system.
What is Secondary Data Analysis?
POPLAR’s data access occurs by way of a secondary-use format in that the data was originally collected within electronic medical records (EMRs) by primary care providers to support direct patient care (primary purpose). Through secure data transfer, POPLAR data is collected, stored, and maintained in the POPLAR Database as the POPLAR Database at ICES and is made available for authorized use to support research and quality improvement (secondary purpose).
What about privacy and security?
We have very strong privacy and security policies that have been reviewed by the Information & Privacy Commissioner of Ontario to ensure compliance with the Personal Health Information Privacy Act (PHIPA), 2004. To learn more, visit our Privacy & Data Security page.
What happens to the data once the Data Sharing Agreement is signed?
[Insert explanation of data flow - to be confirmed once process sorted out with ICES]
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[Insert data flow chart]
Want to Contribute Data to POPLAR?
Here's what you have to do
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NOTE: If you are a member of the Alliance for Healthier Communities, then you may already be contributing your data through the EPIC Network.
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Email the contact for your regional network indicating your interest in contributing data to POPLAR.
What Happens After I Contact My Regional Network?
The Research Coordinator from your Regional Network will respond to you with information about the Data Sharing Agreement you or your practice's HIC will need to sign with ICES. There may be a provider survey or additional Regional Network specific forms or documents to be completed.