eHealth Initiative: IT policy implementers, take note from the state level
Much of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) implementation activity will occur at the state level, as will provisions in healthcare reform that build on health IT and health information exchange, according to a report from eHealth Initiative.
More than 100 experts representing health IT stakeholders were surveyed online by the Washington, D.C.-based eHealth Initiative to gauge perceptions of e-health’s progress. About 66 percent of respondents agreed with the view that regional extension centers and the National Health IT Research Center will be vital to educating providers about adoption and meaningful use of health IT.
The nonprofit eHealth Initiative found that implementation of ARRA programs will be the dominant story in the years ahead, and that the value of HIE is not clearly understood--54.9 percent of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement that the value of HIE is clearly understood.
According to the report, 61 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that significant progress has been made in the successful adoption and use of health IT since 2007. “Healthcare reform has risen to occupy a prominent place on the national agenda, accompanied by rising public awareness of issues related to healthcare quality, costs, access and information,” stated the report.
However, 66.6 percent of the respondents believe outreach to consumers about the value of EHRs and HIE is not effective, and there are mixed reviews about the effects of health IT and HIE on care delivery. Fifty-six percent agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that health IT and HIE have had a positive effect on care delivery.
As part of the development of the report, groups conducted a review of literature, research, policy and market activity since 2007. Progress was assessed against the strategies and actions proposed in the original National Progress Report in 2007.
Many providers are concerned about the lack of coordination across the government health and health IT initiatives, the researchers found. “Providers are concerned that the processes and metrics for accelerating adoption and use of health IT and HIE may deter provider participation and delay transformation to a patient-centered system,” the report stated.
After reviewing progress in engaging customers, transforming care delivery, improving population health, aligning financial and other incentives and managing privacy, security and confidentiality, the reviewers found:
Health IT adoption can be an effective tool to improve quality in care delivery when the underlying processes also are transformed, the report concluded. “Ultimately, the varied nature of the strategies and their interdependencies underscore the need for ongoing efforts to convene stakeholders, share lessons learned and best practices, as a pathway to achieve consensus politics and principles that will improve the quality, safety, efficiency and efficacy of healthcare through health IT and HIE.”
More than 100 experts representing health IT stakeholders were surveyed online by the Washington, D.C.-based eHealth Initiative to gauge perceptions of e-health’s progress. About 66 percent of respondents agreed with the view that regional extension centers and the National Health IT Research Center will be vital to educating providers about adoption and meaningful use of health IT.
The nonprofit eHealth Initiative found that implementation of ARRA programs will be the dominant story in the years ahead, and that the value of HIE is not clearly understood--54.9 percent of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement that the value of HIE is clearly understood.
According to the report, 61 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that significant progress has been made in the successful adoption and use of health IT since 2007. “Healthcare reform has risen to occupy a prominent place on the national agenda, accompanied by rising public awareness of issues related to healthcare quality, costs, access and information,” stated the report.
However, 66.6 percent of the respondents believe outreach to consumers about the value of EHRs and HIE is not effective, and there are mixed reviews about the effects of health IT and HIE on care delivery. Fifty-six percent agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that health IT and HIE have had a positive effect on care delivery.
As part of the development of the report, groups conducted a review of literature, research, policy and market activity since 2007. Progress was assessed against the strategies and actions proposed in the original National Progress Report in 2007.
Many providers are concerned about the lack of coordination across the government health and health IT initiatives, the researchers found. “Providers are concerned that the processes and metrics for accelerating adoption and use of health IT and HIE may deter provider participation and delay transformation to a patient-centered system,” the report stated.
After reviewing progress in engaging customers, transforming care delivery, improving population health, aligning financial and other incentives and managing privacy, security and confidentiality, the reviewers found:
- ARRA was a key driver of progress;
- More education and outreach to consumers about health IT and HIE are required;
- Knowledge and transparency of privacy and security policies will be the key to building consumer trust of health IT and HIE; and
- The healthcare system still needs business models that are sustainable and support transformation of care delivery.
Health IT adoption can be an effective tool to improve quality in care delivery when the underlying processes also are transformed, the report concluded. “Ultimately, the varied nature of the strategies and their interdependencies underscore the need for ongoing efforts to convene stakeholders, share lessons learned and best practices, as a pathway to achieve consensus politics and principles that will improve the quality, safety, efficiency and efficacy of healthcare through health IT and HIE.”