Evidence shows that telemedicine can effectively improve care with patients with chronic conditions—but with a few caveats, according to a study published in Telemedicine and e-Health.

Kicking off National Health IT Week, Karen DeSalvo, MD, MPH, MSc, national coordinator of health IT, said she remains “firmly committed and optimistic about the opportunities for the ONC and our federal partners, as well as the private sector, to support consumer engagement in a meaningful way.”

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT has tapped Lana Moriarty to serve as its acting director for consumer e-health. Moriarty, who previously worked within the Health Resources and Services Administration, is replacing Lygeia Ricciardi, who left in July.

The realignment of financial and policy incentives is crucial to sustain and support health information exchanges, according to a white paper published by HIMSS.

PHILADELPHIA, September 9, 2014--"Leveraging Evidence Across the Care Continuum" co-chaired by David Bates, MD, MSc, and Patricia Flatley Brennan, RN, PhD. The third annual Healthcare Leadership Forum, hosted by Clinical Innovation + Technology magazine and sponsored by Elsevier Clinical Solutions has expanded its mission this year to include multidisciplinary evidence-based practice and cooperative care. This meeting brings together physicians, nurses, IT and healthcare executives and leaders to share best practices for driving knowledge to the point of care, on Sept. 29-30 at the Waldorf Astoria Chicago.

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--Integration with primary care, the emergence of health homes, Meaningful Use, and recovery-based care are among key topics in the ongoing transformation of behavioral health care. However, in the first annual Health and Human Services Influencing Factors Survey, providers demonstrated that while they are embracing rapid change, they are also concerned with long-term sustainability.

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT continues its focus on interoperability. One priority is the agency’s response to the JASON advisory group’s report on developing a data infrastructure for the nation’s healthcare system.

The American Telemedicine Association has released two state policy reports that serve as report cards to how states are faring at telemedicine coverage and reimbursement, as well as physician practice standards and licensure.