Access to Electronic Health Records (EHRs) has improved in recent years, and Canadian patients have come to expect digital availability. According to a PocketHealth survey, 89% of patients feel better about their health care experience when they have greater access to medical records. Additionally, 83% of patients report a better understanding of their health when they have access to interactive insight tools.
EHRs provide patients with a complete snapshot of their health, make it easy to share records with other health care providers and consolidate all the information in an easy-to-access manner.
This article explains how electronic health information works in Canada, its benefits, and the legal requirements surrounding patient access. It will also share how patients can securely access their medical imaging records and upload other health records using PocketHealth.
An electronic health record is a digitized version of a patient’s health information, such as hospital records, compiled from multiple health care providers. One of the most valuable aspects of an EHR is that it allows medical history to follow patients regardless of which provider or facility they visit, providing a standardized, unified, and comprehensive health record.
Until fairly recently, most medical facilities kept hard copies of patient data, including paper-based files and other physical media. With the advancement of online health care systems, electronic health records are becoming increasingly accessible to patients.
The presentation of your health information in your EHR may depend on certain factors, such as whether it adheres to a provincial standard. Overall, most EHRs include the following information:
EMR stands for Electronic Medical Record, which is a digitized version of a patient’s records from a single medical facility or clinic. This electronic chart is managed by one health care organization, so every provider the patient sees would have their own separate EMR for that patient.
Because EMRs tend to be created and accessed by a single medical facility, patient records are not automatically shared with other physicians or health entities unless specifically requested.
An example is a family doctor who owns their own practice and is not part of a larger medical or hospital network. They often don’t exchange information with other clinics or specialists unless the patient requests it or they issue a referral to another provider.
EHRs are very similar in that they consist of the same electronic health information; however, it is often stored with the intent of being accessible by multiple practitioners and facilities.
There are several reasons why patients benefit from accessing their EHR, including:
For patients with multiple providers on their care team, access to an EHR system can help streamline communication. One provider can easily coordinate with another regarding patient care, providing both with a clear understanding of what labs and tests were performed, what imaging was recommended and what instructions have been given, among other care details.
This type of coordination results in less repetition, fewer needlessly repeated tests and exams, as well as a better overall understanding of what steps other providers have already taken in treating the patient.
Because there is no need to wait for patient records to be shared or transferred, medical providers can immediately access the patient’s health data. This means faster decision-making, reduced delays in treatments or testing and the ability for patients to ask about previous results in real-time, such as during an appointment.
Data sharing also enables patients to avoid the hassle and expense of requesting that various clinics share their health records, saving time and effort.
While some medical facilities provide access to their patients through a patient portal, an EHR system offers a more comprehensive way for patients to view their own consolidated records from multiple facilities, all in one place. When such data is easily accessible, it can potentially improve patient understanding of their own health. Examples of how patient access can lead to better understanding include:
Another benefit of EHRs is that they can reduce medical errors. When multiple providers can easily access patient records, it means more eyes on things like requested medical imaging, test results and recommendations, prescribed medications and other vital care information.
With more health care team members keeping track of patient data, errors are more likely to be caught or prevented. Additionally, patients can help identify errors in their own records, which they can bring to the attention of their providers.
If a patient needs to visit the emergency room or an urgent care clinic, it’s important for providers to be able to access their medical history quickly. Having this information readily available can save time when diagnosing and treating the patient. It also informs the medical provider about any pertinent health conditions they should consider during treatment.
Besides the benefits already listed, there are many reasons why EHR access can improve health care for patients. Additional examples include:
There are many different types of EHR systems, such as health care portals, private platforms and hospital databases. The following sections will address the most common ways Canadians can access their electronic health records.
If you want to access medical records from private health care providers, it’s important to be aware of PIPEDA, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. This federal law protects the privacy and personal information of Canadian citizens in several situations, including health information handled by private organizations.
PIPEDA applies to federally regulated industries, such as banking and telecommunications, as well as private health care providers in provinces and territories that do not already have similar privacy legislation.
There are several requirements and exceptions under PIPEDA and other provincial privacy laws. For more details, refer to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
What does this mean for accessing your health records? Your health provider is legally required to give patients, like you, their records in a timely manner, at minimal or reasonable cost. You can usually request access to your records directly from your family doctor’s office.
Due to privacy protection requirements, there will likely be specific steps to follow, such as submitting a formal request or giving express consent to release your records, either to yourself or to another provider.
Most provinces have their own laws regarding the safeguarding of sensitive health information and patient data, such as Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta each have their own privacy legislation as well. In these provinces, provincial privacy laws govern the handling of personal health information.
Overall, patient information is well protected no matter where you live. Most clinics and health care facilities can give you documents that explain which privacy laws they follow and how they keep your data safe.
Health care portals are a common way for patients to access their medical records. Many hospitals and health facilities have their own EMR systems, where they store vital information such as test results, appointment notes and even scheduling and billing details. Often, patients are able to create accounts to log in online and view those records.
These systems can be an invaluable tool for patients wanting to keep up with their health records; however, they can have limitations, including:
With numerous gaps and limitations in reliable access to patient records, particularly across Canadian cities and provinces, PocketHealth enables patients to easily track their medical imaging results and upload other health records. All their images and reports are permanently available in one secure location and can be accessed online—anytime, anywhere. Reports can also be easily shared with other members of their care team, if needed.
Besides making health record access easy, PocketHealth offers patients several additional benefits, including:
With so many complex laws and regulations surrounding patient health information, determining who owns medical records and what rights patients have in accessing them can be confusing. Below is a brief overview regarding medical record ownership and the responsibilities of the health information custodians who maintain them.
Technically, the clinic or medical facility that created an EHR owns the record itself, as they control the system it was created on, including the hardware, software and storage infrastructure. They are also responsible for safeguarding the information, maintaining its accuracy and providing access to those who are authorized.
That said, patients own the information contained within their records. This distinction is important because it means patients have the right to access their records in a timely manner and can request corrections or updates when needed. Patients can also expect that privacy and security standards are met to safeguard their personal health information.
Health record maintenance and updates are the responsibility of the various medical providers directly involved in a patient’s care. This can include radiologists entering imaging reports, pharmacists updating medication lists or primary care physicians adding chart notes.
Patients have a legal right to request changes or corrections to their medical records. However, there are specific steps involved, which may vary slightly depending on the laws and regulations of the province you live in.
You should be able to request a form to initiate the correction process from your medical provider’s office, or they can direct you to the appropriate resource. While the exact requirements may differ by province or facility, here are the general steps for requesting a change to your EHR:
It’s important to note that the custodian can deny a request to change medical records, though they usually must provide you with written notice explaining their reasoning. Possible reasons for denial include:
To dispute or file a complaint about a rejected request to correct a chart, you can contact your province’s information or privacy commissioner or other relevant authority.
While some health care facilities offer patient portals or similar methods for patients to access records, many of these systems are siloed, meaning you can only view records from that specific health system or provider. Sharing them with other providers often requires an official request, wait periods and even fees.
PocketHealth makes it easy to access and organize all your medical imaging records and other health records online, in one place. All of your images and reports are permanently stored, securely accessible online and easily shareable with multiple care providers. Plus, any additional records, such as lab results and immunizations, can be easily uploaded, providing a single reliable source of truth about your health.
Additionally, PocketHealth’s AI-enabled education tools and personalized features help you better understand your results with confidence—simplifying reports, highlighting key terms and providing follow-up guidance. With everything organized under one account, you can feel more prepared and in control of your care experience in Canada.
.
The clinic or organization that owns and maintains the EHR system usually owns the actual records. However, patients own the information within their records, which gives them the right to access their EHR and ask for corrections when needed.
Maintenance is typically performed by various health care professionals or administrative staff trained on the EHR/EMR system.
Patients can contact the custodians of their health record (such as a family doctor’s office, hospital or specialist clinic) and request a form to make corrections or amendments. This often requires a written request and supporting documentation. The custodian may also deny the request.
Published: November 17, 2025
Trusted by more than 900+ hospitals and clinics.
