From the CMIO | Compensation & Candy
This issue unveils our annual CMIO compensation survey. It is fascinating to look at the responses and compare them to our own situations. How many of us look at the salary numbers first?
For me, the most striking finding was the age of our respondents. This year, roughly 77 percent of respondents are under the age of 55; whereas last year it was 49 percent. This year, the largest age band (25 percent) is between the ages of 41-45 years. What are the reasons for this change? I believe it is due to more physicians coming out of training with an interest in clinical informatics.
In the past, most CMIOs have evolved into the role—IT-minded physicians were asked to champion an information systems implementation and progressively assumed a greater role. With technology becoming such a critical part of healthcare delivery, there is a greater demand for physicians to take leadership positions in clinical informatics. This demand is being filled by younger physicians who may have formal education in computer science.
What are your reactions to the salary survey? Let us know your thoughts.
For most CMIOs, being at the HIMSS Annual Conference is like being a kid in a candy store. We all like shiny new toys and what better showroom than the HIMSS exhibit hall to see exciting, new technology? I always return with hundreds of ideas but then reality hits and the restraints of resources and staff put an end to most fanciful options. Hopefully, one or two will get into the next budget cycle.
There will be many fascinating and provocative sessions useful for experienced and budding CMIOs. At past HIMSS conferences, I have learned about managing the CIO-CMIO relationship, the future of clinical decision support, pearls and pitfalls associated with major system implementations and the emerging strategic role of the CMIO. I expect to come home with many tidbits on how to improve my organization and the development of the role of the CMIO. Also, many of our colleagues will be speaking. I will insert my own shameless plug here: I will be speaking on Wednesday afternoon about The Unintended Consequences of Clinical Decision Support.
I realize that some people do not perceive HIMSS as a very valuable experience—that it is too much show and not enough substance. I would welcome your opinions and feedback. If you are planning on attending, I hope to see you there.
For me, the most striking finding was the age of our respondents. This year, roughly 77 percent of respondents are under the age of 55; whereas last year it was 49 percent. This year, the largest age band (25 percent) is between the ages of 41-45 years. What are the reasons for this change? I believe it is due to more physicians coming out of training with an interest in clinical informatics.
In the past, most CMIOs have evolved into the role—IT-minded physicians were asked to champion an information systems implementation and progressively assumed a greater role. With technology becoming such a critical part of healthcare delivery, there is a greater demand for physicians to take leadership positions in clinical informatics. This demand is being filled by younger physicians who may have formal education in computer science.
What are your reactions to the salary survey? Let us know your thoughts.
For most CMIOs, being at the HIMSS Annual Conference is like being a kid in a candy store. We all like shiny new toys and what better showroom than the HIMSS exhibit hall to see exciting, new technology? I always return with hundreds of ideas but then reality hits and the restraints of resources and staff put an end to most fanciful options. Hopefully, one or two will get into the next budget cycle.
There will be many fascinating and provocative sessions useful for experienced and budding CMIOs. At past HIMSS conferences, I have learned about managing the CIO-CMIO relationship, the future of clinical decision support, pearls and pitfalls associated with major system implementations and the emerging strategic role of the CMIO. I expect to come home with many tidbits on how to improve my organization and the development of the role of the CMIO. Also, many of our colleagues will be speaking. I will insert my own shameless plug here: I will be speaking on Wednesday afternoon about The Unintended Consequences of Clinical Decision Support.
I realize that some people do not perceive HIMSS as a very valuable experience—that it is too much show and not enough substance. I would welcome your opinions and feedback. If you are planning on attending, I hope to see you there.