Leveraging Electronic Medical Records to Advance Equity in Health Systems: A pan-Canadian dialogue to guide the development of content standards for the collection and integration of sociodemographic data in electronic medical records

Although the Canadian health care system is known for being accessible, many health care disparities still exist within socially marginalized communities. By studying these health care inequities, we might be able to better understand and address the higher rates of various health conditions within such population groups, which have been highlighted and worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite growing interest in investigating such health care disparities in Canada, related efforts have been stalled due to important limitations in the collection and availability of sociodemographic information in health care datasets across the country. To address this gap, health systems and organizations may look towards using electronic medical records (EMRs) for such investigations, as they provide unique information regarding patient health care needs and experiences, and they may serve as a useful tool for the routine collection of clinical information linked to individual sociodemographic data. This project will contribute to the development of information standards for the collection of sociodemographic data in electronic medical records. The goal is to identify best-practices for the use of sociodemographic data in EMRs towards advancing equity in health care and health systems. To achieve this goal, I will first review the existing literature on the risks, benefits, and opportunities for collecting sociodemographic data in electronic medical records. Next, based on these results, I will hold a series of pan-Canadian meetings to identify best practices for the collection and use of sociodemographic data in medical records. Canada's goal of universal health care will only be achieved if social barriers to quality care are addressed, and integrating sociodemographic data in EMRs provide one such avenue to advance the measurement and improvement of health care inequity.