Press release

Bill 70 Passes National Assembly:
FMSQ Welcomes Introduction of Electronic Health Records

Montreal, May 28, 2008 – Dr. Gaétan Barrette, President of the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (the FMSQ), is pleased to see that the Quebec National Assembly has passed Bill 70, introducing the Quebec Health Records system (Dossier de Santé du Québec – DSQ).

After years of discussion, the Quebec health system will finally enter the modern era, adopting a tool that, if the pilot project proves successful, will enable physicians to have electronic access to a patient’s records.

“The FMSQ has always believed in the need to move forward with the DSQ system for many reasons: better access to and availability of patients’ clinical information, test results in virtually real time, an history of the patient’s illnesses, visits, treatment and prescriptions,” stated the FMSQ President. “From now on, physicians will be able to simply click to access a patient’s record which, unfortunately, is not always the case now, thereby saving precious time. All in all, this tool will allow patients to receive care better suited to their condition,” continued Dr. Barrette.

The FMSQ points out that the implicit consent of the patient must lay at the core of the whole project, otherwise the DSQ might fail. The Federation intends to watch developments regarding the pilot project very closely. This is scheduled to begin in the Quebec City area to make sure that the DSQ will first meet the expectations and concrete needs of physicians and other users in the health network.

The Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec numbers more than 8,000 members in Quebec, representing 35 medical specialties. It is the sole organization recognized by government with respect to negotiating medical specialists' collective agreements, and is also consulted on all aspects of the organization of medical care in Quebec.

-30-