We are excited to present this video as part of a series on health information technology (health IT). We’ve talked about personal health records and HIV before, and today we want to share a bit more on what health IT is all about, and what it means for those of us working to respond to HIV. In the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, work related to health IT is coordinated through the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). At AIDS.gov, we are committed to providing on-going information on health IT because the adoption of health IT can: provide secure and protected patient information; improve the quality of care; reduce care costs; contribute to informed decision-making; improve coordination of care; improve public health activities and early detection; facilitate research; and promote prevention/protection for all Americans including those living with HIV.
I sat down with Dr. David Blumenthal, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, to learn more about what his office is doing, and what we should know about health IT. You can watch the video and read the transcript below. And we’d love to hear from you — what implications does health IT have for the response to HIV?
Thank You, Miguel for arranging to highlight IT Health Technology and providing ue with your first speaker Dr. David Blumenthall. This technology is exciting in that the patient faced with multiple HIV related issues will have a way to connect, educated and become their own Advocate for Healing.
To have the patients medical information all in one info area will speed up and store developments of the patient. Online information of this caliber Miguel is a giany step toward bringing HIV Patients and families out of the shadows. Great Job!!!!
Miguel
A very timely topic. As an HIV Special Needs Plan operating in New York City, NewYork-Presbyterian System SelectHealth offers all its members, their primary care providers and case managers an online Continuity of Care Document designed to improve care coordination. In recent months we joined a local regional health information organization to scale up and further advance the model.
Ours is one of 6 projects funded by HRSA’s Special Project of National Significance Initiative – Enhancement and Evaluation of Existing Health Information Electronic Network Systems for PLWHA in Underserved Communities.
Dr. Blumenthal’s comments dovetail nicely with our efforts and we encourage further development in this area.
Thanks for some great information on a very timely issue. I’m sure there is much opinion out there that argues against this model for Health Information Technology. It’s good to see targeted, concise, and understandable information advocating for a nationwide HIT system.