LEAWOOD, Kan. — In an effort to help physicians more readily adapt to technological advances in medicine and acquire the technical skills they need to efficiently use new medical technologies, the American Academy of Family Physicians’ (AAFP) Center for Health Information Technology (CHiT) is now offering a series of easy-to-use online tutorials.
The first module in the series, “Health Information Technology for the Family Physician Office: Hardware and Network Basics,” is now available. It teaches participants how to evaluate the best hardware to fit their needs and then prepare to install an electronic health record (EHR) system in their office. The AAFP Center for Health Information Technology plans to launch three more modules over the next few months. Topics include office redesign and workflow, EHR selection and EHR implementation.
Steven Waldren, M.D., assistant director of the AAFP CHiT, said the program format was designed with busy physicians in mind. “Our new video modules allow physicians to learn about new and important health information technology at their own pace and in their own space,” he said. “The modules’ dynamic design is intended to actively engage physicians and their staff members in a stimulating way so they’ll better understand the value of electronic health records while simultaneously earning credits,” he said.
Physicians earn one continuing medical education (CME) credit for each module they complete. The AAFP offers the CME modules free to its members. Each module costs $25 for non-members.
The new video CME modules supplement a wide range of health IT resources already available in a written format from the AAFP CHiT.
The first module of the Center’s HIT CME for family physicians is live on the
Center’s site: http://www.centerforhit.org/x1920.xml. For more information on CHiT CME overall, please visit http://www.centerforhit.org/x1589.xml.
AAFP Center for Health Information Technology Offers Interactive Video Training To Help Physicians Become More Virtual
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Contact:
Amanda Holt
American Academy of Family Physicians
(800) 274-2237, Ext. 5223
aholt@aafp.org
Training module is the first in a series to help physicians learn more about EHRs
and other health information technology.
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Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 110,600 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care.
Approximately one in four of all office visits are made to family physicians. That is 240 million office visits each year — nearly 87 million more than the next largest medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care.
To learn more about the specialty of family medicine, the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, and for downloadable multi-media highlighting family medicine, visit www.aafp.org/media. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s award-winning consumer website, www.FamilyDoctor.org.
