Join Online Discussion on Health IT

Family physicians and their patients -- along with Americans across the country -- are invited to join an online discussion about health information technology, or health IT.

Don't miss a unique opportunity to contribute to the online forum, dubbed A National Dialogue on Health Information Technology and Privacy, that opened Oct. 27 and ends Nov. 3.

The goal of the week-long Web-based dialogue is to solicit input from health care stakeholders and the American public on health IT, which is a top priority of the federal government. The forum seeks to answer the question: How can the country best use health IT to improve patient interaction with the health care system while sufficiently safeguarding patients' privacy?

Forum organizers expect the online format to give participants exposure to different points of view and to help them identify priorities and concerns on the topic of nationwide implementation of health IT.

It's easy to sign up and get started. On the first day of the national dialogue, topics included the role of patient and consumer education, the role of government, and transparency in health care.

This question also was posed: "We trust our banks' Web sites. Why not health organizations?"

Organizers encourage participants to log in now and then schedule some specific time slots throughout the week to hop online and catch up on the dialogue. Be prepared to add a personal opinion and to vote up or down on ideas that are presented.

The event is hosted by the National Academy of Public Administration. Other government agencies involved include the Federal Chief Information Officers Council, the Office of Management and Budget, and the General Services Administration.

A number of national organizations, including the AAFP, the American Hospital Association, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, HHS, AARP, and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, will weigh in during the cyberspace discussions.

Results of the national dialogue will be presented to the next administration and to other relevant government agencies.