Digital Referrals & Orders program

​​​​​​​​​Digital referrals and orders program page ​​​​​​​​
eReferrals is the first in a suite of digital services being delivered through the Digital Referrals & Orders (DRO) program​. 

The DRO program is a collaborative initiative with Doctors of BC and the provincial Ministry of Health that's helping transform British Columbia’s healthcare delivery into a digitized, interconnected and patient-centered ecosystem. 

The full suite of DRO program services will include:

  • ​​eReferrals (LIVE now): Digital referrals between primary care providers and specialized health service providers to improve care coordination. Patient engagement tools supporting digital referrals:

    • Patient messaging: Enables clinics to send referral updates, messages and intake questionnaires to patients and store responses directly in the patient chart.
    • ​Patient reminders: Sends automated email reminders about upcoming appointments.
  • eConsults: Digital requests for clinical advice between providers and specialists without the need for a patient visit, speeding up care delivery.
  • eOrders: Digital orders for health services (lab orders, medical imaging) to inform decision-making and care delivery.
  • Visual map-based search tool: Supports all of the program services with provider, health service and clinic location data from provincial sources.​​

Specialty working groups

Our DRO specialty working groups bring providers into the development phase. These experts contribute clinical insight to help make sure the service design meets the needs of health care providers, and will work with you to develop specific referral content. The success of DRO services relies on their specialized knowledge and input. To view the current list of PHSA referral forms for use on Ocean click here.

You can learn more, including how to participate, by visiting the specialty working group section on the DRO website. 

Or, complete an onboarding request​ to let us know that you're interested in joining this work.​


To get started, submit an onboarding request.

If you're a primary care provider or specialist, select the appropriate button below to complete an onboarding request form. 

A member of our eReferrals team will be in touch within two business days to assess your needs and provide more information.

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