What BC Family Physicians Told Us About Digital Red Tape

During Red Tape Awareness Week, we asked family physicians across BC to tell us how disconnected digital systems are impacting their practice. 161 physicians responded, and the results confirm what we've long been hearing on the ground.

78% of respondents are routinely navigating between 2 to 5 different digital systems to manage patient care. Nearly 39% are duplicating patient information into multiple systems on a weekly basis. More than half are losing over 30 minutes every day to poor EMR interoperability, that's longer than the average patient visit.

The consequences extend far beyond inefficiency. Physicians told us fragmented infrastructure is increasing administrative burden, driving up operational costs, eroding the doctor-patient relationship, and raising serious concerns about patient safety. It is also a significant contributor to provider burnout.

This is time that belongs to patients.

We believe BC needs meaningful investment in EMR interoperability and the modernization of its digital health infrastructure. Reducing digital red tape in primary care would have direct, measurable impact on the quality and accessibility of care for patients and communities across the province.

Read the full summary report here.