From the Editor: Happy to Join You
With this editorial, I'd like to offer my greetings to the CMIO readers as I join the staff as editor.
I come to this role with significant experience in writing about health IT, including the implementation of EHRs. I first wrote about electronic record implementation about 10 years ago and back then, most people thought they had a long way to go. Clearly, EHRs have come that long way—41 percent of U.S. hospitals are ready for Stage 1 of meaningful use, according to healthcare market researcher Millennium Research Group (MRG). And, some 75 percent of larger physician offices have adopted EHRs, according to SK&A.
I remember preparing to interview HIM directors about their new electronic record system only to find out that it really was a process in which they simply scanned paper records. Now, MRG projects an EHR market that will reach $8.3 billion by 2016.
Evidently, much has changed. The same goes for the line-up here at CMIO as we are very pleased to welcome Donald L. Levick, MD, CMIO of Lehigh Valley Health Network as our first editor-at-large. His move from the editorial advisory board means he will be more involved in developing input from the daily trials and tribulations of being a CMIO. His perspective as someone in the health IT trenches with you is priceless. To learn more about Don and his path to the role of CMIO, please see his first column on page 3.
I'm interested in hearing your thoughts about the topics we cover. Your input is an invaluable resource and with it, we can keep CMIO current on the topics most vital to you. It's through such communication that I will learn more about what you value, and make our online and print publication even more relevant to the work you do each day as a CMIO, CCIO, medical director of informatics or CMO that carries the lead IT role as well.
As 2011 winds down, I'm sure you are crafting ambitious plans for 2012. We at CMIO are as well, and we look forward to an exciting new year together. Be sure to take part in our annual CMIO Compensation Survey, which is open now at cmio.net. We will share the results in the February issue.
Seasons Greetings.
I come to this role with significant experience in writing about health IT, including the implementation of EHRs. I first wrote about electronic record implementation about 10 years ago and back then, most people thought they had a long way to go. Clearly, EHRs have come that long way—41 percent of U.S. hospitals are ready for Stage 1 of meaningful use, according to healthcare market researcher Millennium Research Group (MRG). And, some 75 percent of larger physician offices have adopted EHRs, according to SK&A.
I remember preparing to interview HIM directors about their new electronic record system only to find out that it really was a process in which they simply scanned paper records. Now, MRG projects an EHR market that will reach $8.3 billion by 2016.
Evidently, much has changed. The same goes for the line-up here at CMIO as we are very pleased to welcome Donald L. Levick, MD, CMIO of Lehigh Valley Health Network as our first editor-at-large. His move from the editorial advisory board means he will be more involved in developing input from the daily trials and tribulations of being a CMIO. His perspective as someone in the health IT trenches with you is priceless. To learn more about Don and his path to the role of CMIO, please see his first column on page 3.
I'm interested in hearing your thoughts about the topics we cover. Your input is an invaluable resource and with it, we can keep CMIO current on the topics most vital to you. It's through such communication that I will learn more about what you value, and make our online and print publication even more relevant to the work you do each day as a CMIO, CCIO, medical director of informatics or CMO that carries the lead IT role as well.
As 2011 winds down, I'm sure you are crafting ambitious plans for 2012. We at CMIO are as well, and we look forward to an exciting new year together. Be sure to take part in our annual CMIO Compensation Survey, which is open now at cmio.net. We will share the results in the February issue.
Seasons Greetings.
Beth Walsh,
Editor
Editor Beth earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s in health communication. She has worked in hospital, academic and publishing settings over the past 20 years. Beth joined TriMed in 2005, as editor of CMIO and Clinical Innovation + Technology. When not covering all things related to health IT, she spends time with her husband and three children.