Statement attributable to:
Larry S. Fields, M.D., F.A.A.F.P.
President
American Academy of Family Physicians
AAFP Statement: AAFP Response to Certification Commission for Health Information Technology's (CCHIT) Announcement of 'Certified Electronic Health Record Products'
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sunday, June 18, 2006
"It is great to see the first set of certified products come out of CCHIT. This is another important piece of information as physicians search for the right EHR for their practice, but it should not be the only criteria used. It is important for physicians to understand this is the first group to pass certification. Many vendors have not yet had the chance to become certified. Therefore, physicians should talk with their potential vendors about their plans to obtain certification. The AAFP's Center for Health IT (CHiT) is already working on educational materials for physicians regarding CCHIT."
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Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 105,900 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 Web site, www.FamilyDoctor.org.
