October 2025 eTips Newsletter
Tips and advice on EMRs and digital health tools you can use NOW
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Here’s what you’ll find in this month’s issue
From the CMO's Desk
It's a wrap! Highlights from the OMD Educates: Digital Health Conference
A huge shout-out to all those who attended, participated as speakers, showcased their products, shared their ideas, and were involved in this great event.
For those who couldn't attend, we put together some highlights for you to enjoy.
This year's agenda had practical sessions for everyone
— from early-stage clinicians to digital health experts on topics ranging from office efficiencies to AI inbox management. Featuring some of the most influential minds in digital health, artificial intelligence, and medico-legal and privacy issues, the conference drew over 600 attendees for two days of top-tier keynotes, more than 60 presentations, sessions, and demos, and a Vendor Showcase and Start-Up Zone with over 60 exhibitors.
Speakers included Dr. Jane Philpott, Chair of the Primary Care Action Team, Dr. Zainab Abdurrahman, President, Ontario Medical Association (OMA), Dr. Muhammad Mamdani, Director, University of Toronto Temerty Faculty of Medicine Centre for Artificial Intelligence Education and Research in Medicine, and Andrew Drummond, Director, Health Policy, Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario. Together, we're making strides toward a better healthcare system in Ontario, leveraging new digital tools evaluated by physicians.
Register now to take advantage of our super early bird pricing for next year's conference!
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AI Tools for Ontario Clinicians
Peace of mind with the Ontario AI Scribe Program
So many AI scribe choices, so little time. Not to worry — whether you're a family doctor, specialist, or nurse practitioner, the Ontario AI Scribe Program does your due diligence for you. By signing up for the program, you're assured of vetted vendors, privacy-compliant contracts, fair pricing, and support when you need it.
Visit the OMD Practice Hub for the
Vendor of Record list,
program video, and
frequently asked questions on the Ontario AI Scribe Program.
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Tip from an OMD Advisor
Our team of digital health advisors are experts in change management, EMRs and clinic workflows, with extensive experience helping physicians streamline care. These tips comes from one of our trusted advisors, who works directly with practices in your area and is ready to support you too —
contact an OMD Advisor.
Abnormal Cervical Screening Package
OMD, in partnership with the Central East Regional Cancer Program and the Medical Associates of Port Perry, has
developed the Abnormal Cervical Screening Package for TELUS PSS EMR users, a tool to enhance individualized risk-based care for patients with abnormal cervical screening results. It supports the consistent monitoring and early detection of persistent high-risk HPV infections, the leading cause of cervical cancer.
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Advice from the General Counsel and CPO
Don't get spooked: beware the cyber ghouls this October
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a timely reminder that one of the scariest things this Halloween may not be ghosts and goblins, but it may be in your inbox or your phone! In health care, we are seeing increasingly complex threats: phishing emails are becoming increasingly convincing, urging you to click on an email or attachment from a colleague or hospital. Attackers are also using impersonation "quishing" (QR-code phishing), where an image or email asks you to scan a QR code leading to a malicious site, or using phone-based "vishing" scams, spoofing official phone numbers, mimicking caller ID, and even using AI to trick targets into sharing sensitive information. Attackers are also targeting business associates and smaller vendors as a back door into larger health systems.
Personal health information is extremely valuable to cyber attackers. They know the stakes are high: when systems go down, critical data can be temporarily inaccessible or lost entirely. In recent months, healthcare organizations in Canada and beyond have seen major breaches and ransomware attacks which have impacted millions of patient records. Furthermore, a
recent decision clarified that under PHIPA, even an unauthorized encryption still counts as a "use" of personal health information and must be reported to the Privacy Commissioner. This is another reminder that privacy duties apply not just to charts and conversations, but to digital security events.
To stay ahead of these ghouls:
- Always verify unexpected requests, especially where they are marked "urgent" or "critical"
- Think before you click and don't click on suspicious links or QR codes
- Enable multi-factor authentication
- Make sure your clinic's privacy breach protocol includes steps for dealing with cybersecurity events, and
- Promptly report any unusual messages to your IT or security personnel.
By following these tips, and learning more on our Practice Hub's
Legal & Privacy Page, you can take a strong, proactive approach to PHIPA compliance to protect patient data and maintain integrated privacy and security when adopting AI tools into your practice!
Read more privacy and security tips from past issues of our newsletter
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HRM Improvements
The power of opting out
Numbers don't lie. Providing clinicians with the option to turn off HRM eNotifications is a game-changer.
Whether you sign up to turn off eNotifications or continue to receive them – the choice is yours!
New HRM release enhances security
OntarioMD is pleased to announce that the recent HRM upgrade offers enhanced security for our hospital partners connected directly to HRM. Specifically, the information you receive (or send, through your hospital) over HRM will soon be better protected than before, using modern security protocols for data in transit. As cyber criminals get more sophisticated, you can have confidence that OMD and Ontario Health are working to protect the information your patients have entrusted to you. If you have any questions, please contact the HRM Product Team at support@ontariomd.com.
Your HRM experience is important to us. We support you and your practice,
at no cost to you, so don't hesitate to contact us at
support@ontariomd.com with any questions about HRM or anything else digital.
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Partner News
OMD believes in leveraging the strength of our collaborations with partners to bring useful resources to clinicians.
Preventive Care for Older Adults Tool by the Centre for Effective Practice
The Preventive Care for Older People tool is designed to streamline preventive care for older adults, particularly those with multiple complex conditions.
Safeguard your practice from digital threats
Your medical practice is a prime target for cyberthreats. OMA Insurance provides coverage to protect against data breaches, ransomware, and costly downtime. Key benefits include:
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Patient data protection. Manage the immense costs of a data breach, including patient notification, credit monitoring, and legal defence.
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Financial security. Mitigate losses from business interruption, ransomware demands, and regulatory fines.
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Reputation management. Access crisis management experts to navigate the aftermath of an incident and rebuild patient trust.
Don't wait for an attack. Contact
OMA Insurance today to find the right coverage for your practice.
Digital supports for mental health
Learn how the
Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) Program can help people with depression and anxiety concerns to access care through flexible, digital options. Adults 18+ can start with self-led, therapist/coach supported services like BounceBack's virtual workbooks and coaching, internet-based CBT modules, or clinician-assisted bibliotherapy by phone. These tools help people build coping skills and resilience, with the option to move to more intensive therapy if needed. All services are free and designed to fit into everyday life.
My CancerIQ: New Look, Same Trusted Tool
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, encourage patients to use
My CancerIQ for a quick, bilingual breast cancer risk assessment. The refreshed tool, now aligned with Ontario Health branding, provides evidence-based results and personalized plans.
Access the toolkit for resources to help raise awareness.
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OMD Digital Health Advocacy and Education
OntarioMD is proud to attend events across the province, connecting with clinicians and supporting the important work of Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) and Primary Care Networks (PCNs). If you're interested in having OntarioMD speak at your event or host a booth with our knowledgeable advisors, please reach out to us at omd.events@ontariomd.com.
OMD in the News
Recent media
- On Sept. 18, a
Canadian Health Care Network article referenced the AI Scribe Evaluation Study from OMD, Women's College Hospital, and Amplify Care (formerly eHealth Centre of Excellence).
- On Sept. 26,
Healthcare IT Today featured video highlights of OMD's Digital Health Conference.
- On Oct. 7,
OMD welcomed three new directors to its Board.
- On Oct. 9,
Breaking Silos in Canadian Healthcare featured a video on OMD's Digital Health Conference, interviewing leading physicians, health tech founders, clinic owners, and IT experts, right from the heart of the exhibition floor.
Need Help with Your EMR?
Your EMR should be a
benefit, not a burden. In addition to our
OMD Advisory Service and
Peer Leaders, OMD has additional, COMPLIMENTARY resources to help you use your certified EMR better to save you time and frustration.
OMD develops tools and suggests helpful workflow improvements in our
EMR Lab.
Join an
EMR Community of Practice (CoP)! CoP is a virtual place for EMR and digital health tool users, including clinicians and office staff, to share their knowledge, discover upcoming changes, ask questions and learn from the vendors and other users.
Find out more about OMD EMR Communities of Practice.
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Important Reminders
Changing Your EMR or Practice? OMD Needs to Know
Especially for HRM!
Planning to make any of these changes?
Contact us at
support@ontariomd.com at least two (2) weeks in advance to ensure you continue to receive HRM reports.