EMR vs EHR: What’s the difference and why it matters for Canadian patients
In Canada, there is a growing shift from traditional paper-based records to electronic medical records (EMRs) for storing health-related information. Because of this, many Canadians expect their health history to be available digitally—and according to a 2023 study, 4 out of 5 Canadians want access to their personal health information electronically.
However, the process of accessing medical records is often disjointed and confusing. As a result, only 2 in 5 Canadians have accessed their health information electronically.
Understanding the difference between electronic medical records (EMRs) and electronic health records (EHRs) can help you better navigate where your records are stored and who has access to them, allowing you to take a more active role in your care.
The consolidation of your medical records across different health systems makes it easier for health care providers to track your care, coordinate treatments and ensure that your clinical data is complete and up to date. These differences will be explained in more detail below, helping you to better understand your own patient records.
The difference between electronic health records (EHR) and electronic medical records (EMR)
Chances are, you’ve visited more than one doctor, clinic or hospital in your lifetime. You might be surprised to learn that in Canada, a patient’s medical history isn’t stored in a single, unified system. Different providers often use different electronic medical record systems to track your care, also known as EMR systems.
These digital records are essential for how health care professionals store, access and share your medical information. While the terms EMR and EHR are often used interchangeably, that one-word difference has a significant impact.
What is an EMR?
EMR stands for electronic medical record, which is a digitized version of a patient’s chart from a single medical facility or clinic.
The advantage of an EMR is that it replaces the traditional paper chart, making it easier for clinicians to track medical changes over time and identify patients who may need preventive screenings or follow-ups.
The disadvantage of an EMR is that data doesn’t easily flow outside the health care organization. For example, your family doctor or a walk-in clinic might use their own EMR system. If you visit another medical practice, clinic or hospital, those clinicians won’t be able to see your EMR. This means you have separate electronic records stored in different systems for each health care provider you visit.
What is an EHR?
Electronic health records, or EHRs, are digital records of patient data that can be shared among authorized care providers. They bring together all your health information from doctors’ offices, clinics, hospitals, specialists, lab providers and more, into one unified record.
Unlike EMRs, which stay within a single health care provider’s system, EHRs can be accessed by multiple providers. This makes it easier for your care team to view your complete medical history without needing to request records from other health care offices, enabling better and more coordinated care.
EMR vs EHR in Canada: Key differences
The table below shows the main differences between EMRs and EHRs, so you can understand how your health information is stored and shared.`
| Feature | EHR (Electronic Health Record) | EMR (Electronic Medical Record) |
|---|---|---|
| What it includes | Your medical history consolidated from many different clinics, hospitals, specialists, labs and other health care providers | Your medical and treatment history from an individual clinic or health care practice |
| Who manages it | Your province or territory’s health system | Your individual health care provider |
| How can you see it online | Patient access, while sometimes limited, can be available through select provincial health portals | Patient access may be available through an online patient portal or requested directly by the patient (sometimes for a fee) |
| How it’s shared | Available to safely share patient health information between authorized health care providers | Records can be shared when a patient needs a referral or requests them directly, such as when switching care providers |
| Information Included |
|
|
| Example | Your provincial EHR systems | Your family doctor or walk-in clinic’s patient chart |
It’s important to recognize that provincial health systems in Canada continue to evolve and improve. Certain provinces have more connected health information technology, making it easier for different doctors and clinics to share your health information across different systems, while others may be more limited. As health care is managed at the provincial level, access to your records and how easily they’re shared online can vary depending on where you live.
Who manages and updates your EMR and EHR in Canada?
Who owns and maintains your EMR?
EMRs are typically created and stored in your doctor’s office, clinic or hospital’s internal system. These care facilities serve as the custodians of your personal health information. Technically, they own the record itself, as they control the hardware, software, and storage systems used to manage and safeguard this data.
Although the health care facility that initially creates the record is the official custodian of that health information, you, the patient, have important rights under privacy legislation, such as the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) in Ontario (other provinces have their own similar legislation). This means you have the right to access your health information, request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete data and expect that your information is stored, used and shared in accordance with strict privacy and security standards.
While you can request copies of information in your EMR (usually for a fee), online access may be available only to patients if your clinic provides a patient portal.
Who owns and maintains your EHR?
In Canada, EHRs are maintained at the provincial or territorial level. For example, when you receive care from a health care provider—such as a hospital or clinic in Ontario—your information is updated in the provider’s EMR system. Certain key data, like lab results or diagnostic imaging reports, are then securely transmitted to provincial data repositories. Through system integrations, other authorized health care providers can then access this information when using supported provincial clinical viewers.
EHRs only aggregate patient health data and are not responsible for updating or correcting this information. Instead, that responsibility lies with the health care facility that initially created the record.
The patient still has important rights under their provincial privacy legislation (e.g., PHIPA in Ontario), as mentioned above, such as viewing records, requesting corrections and relying on data protection via strict privacy standards.
An easier way to get your medical records
Knowing where your health information is stored and having access to it provides you with deeper insight into your results, helping you make informed decisions about your care. Missing or incorrect records can sometimes lead to repeated tests or delays in treatment, which is why it is important to know your rights when requesting and accessing your health information. With the availability of digital tools and platforms, this access is easier than ever before, allowing you to play a more active role in managing your health.
PocketHealth is a secure, patient-centred care platform that lets you access, share and understand your medical imaging records. You’re also able to upload and store health records commonly found in an EHR, like immunizations, prescriptions and lab results, so all your records are consolidated in one place. With greater control of your records and the ability to connect that information across different health care systems, you get a more holistic picture of your health.
PocketHealth also includes AI-enabled educational tools and personalized insights to help you better understand your medical imaging reports. Key benefits of the platform include:
- Clear, easy-to-understand results: PocketHealth provides clear definitions and illustrations for complex medical terms—plus an in-depth explanation of your full imaging report.
- Recommended next steps: Follow-up suggestions help you plan what to do next and feel more confident about the questions to bring to your healthcare provider.
- Family record management: You can access and store records for up to four family members in one place using a single login.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some common questions regarding EHRs and EMRs for Canadian patients.
What is the difference between EMR and EHR in Canada?
An electronic medical record (EMR) is a digitized version of your records from a single medical facility or clinic. Your medical information is accessed and managed by a single health care provider and is not typically shared with other medical facilities unless specifically requested.
An electronic health record (EHR) is also a digitized version of your health record, but it is compiled from multiple sources and often stored with the intent of being shared among doctors, clinics and hospitals. This allows your health information from various health care providers to be consolidated into one, unified record.
In both cases, the health care provider who originally created the health record acts as a custodian, but you, as the patient, have the right to access and request updates to your personal health information.
What kind of information is included in an EMR?
Electronic medical records (EMRs) are an electronic version of your patient chart that tracks your health information within a single health care provider or clinic. They help your provider manage your care and keep all your records organized electronically without using paper records. EMRs can include the following information:
- Clinical notes from interactions with your provider
- Diagnoses and medical conditions
- Prescriptions and medication history
- Test results, from labs or medical imaging
- Immunization records
What kind of information is included in an EHR?
Electronic health records (EHRs) consolidate your health information from multiple health care organizations, such as clinics, hospitals and specialists. They provide your care teams with a comprehensive overview of your health, enabling safer, more coordinated patient care. EHRs can include the following information:
- Your full medical history
- Lab results and imaging reports
- Prescriptions and medication history
- Allergies and immunizations
- Records from all doctors and health care teams you have seen
Who owns and updates your EMR in Canada?
Your doctor’s office, clinic or hospital creates and stores the information contained in your EMR, so they technically own the record. Your health care providers are expected to keep this information up to date during your medical visits and with any test results, referrals, etc.
Under provincial privacy legislation, patients have the right to access their personal health information, request updates and ensure its protection. Digital access to these records is only possible if your clinic offers a patient portal. Otherwise, copies of certain information can be provided (usually for a fee), unless requested for specific purposes, such as changing care providers.
Who owns and updates your EHR in Canada?
In Canada, personal health records are managed at the provincial level. Each province has its own laws governing how this information is collected, stored and shared. While patients have the right to access the information contained in their EHR, not all provinces offer patients electronic access to the EHR systems. Either way, you have a right to view your records and request corrections, if necessary.
Electronic health records only gather patient health information and do not update or correct it. The responsibility for maintaining accurate records stays with the health care facility that created them.
Patients continue to have important rights under provincial privacy laws, such as viewing their records, requesting corrections and relying on data protection via strict privacy standards.
Published: November 27, 2025
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