David Blumenthal, MD, the national coordinator for health information technology, has responded to clinicians' concerns that, amidst efforts to demonstrate meaningful use of electronic health records, there is not enough technical support to fulfill meaningful use goals, according to a letter written by Dr. Blumenthal.
In addition to healthcare providers' concerns over lack of IT support, Dr. Blumenthal recognizes published data supports those providers' claims. According to the data, over the next five years, there will be a shortfall of approximately 50,000 qualified health IT workers needed to meet the needs of healthcare professionals and organizations as they move toward adopting EHRs.
In response to these concerns and data, he says the Office of the National Coordinator will meet the growing demand for health IT professionals by awarding $84 million for the Health IT Workforce Development Program, which consists of four key initiatives:
• Community college non-degree training programs
• Development of high-quality educational materials
• A competency exam program to evaluate trainee knowledge and skills
• University-based training programs for highly specialized health IT roles
Dr. Blumenthal writes the development program is already well under way. Funding from the ONC has allowed the University of Texas at Austin to implement a certificate program for students training for professions in the health IT field. Next year, the university will being offering three more certificate programs related to health IT training. Another development program initiative is the Curriculum Development Centers Program, which will fund higher education institutions to develop health IT curriculum for its students. Already 84 community colleges have committed to using curriculum developed by the program.
Dr. Blumenthal projects the Health IT Workforce Development Program will reduce the health IT workforce shortfall by 85 percent.
Read Dr. Blumenthal's letter about the ONC's efforts to meet the demand for health IT support.
Read other coverage about health information technology:
- 7 Key Considerations Before Investing in a Health Information Exchange Network
- EMRs Improve Reporting of Hospitals' Adverse Events to Regulators
- FDA Plans to Create 5-Year IT Strategic Plan
In addition to healthcare providers' concerns over lack of IT support, Dr. Blumenthal recognizes published data supports those providers' claims. According to the data, over the next five years, there will be a shortfall of approximately 50,000 qualified health IT workers needed to meet the needs of healthcare professionals and organizations as they move toward adopting EHRs.
In response to these concerns and data, he says the Office of the National Coordinator will meet the growing demand for health IT professionals by awarding $84 million for the Health IT Workforce Development Program, which consists of four key initiatives:
• Community college non-degree training programs
• Development of high-quality educational materials
• A competency exam program to evaluate trainee knowledge and skills
• University-based training programs for highly specialized health IT roles
Dr. Blumenthal writes the development program is already well under way. Funding from the ONC has allowed the University of Texas at Austin to implement a certificate program for students training for professions in the health IT field. Next year, the university will being offering three more certificate programs related to health IT training. Another development program initiative is the Curriculum Development Centers Program, which will fund higher education institutions to develop health IT curriculum for its students. Already 84 community colleges have committed to using curriculum developed by the program.
Dr. Blumenthal projects the Health IT Workforce Development Program will reduce the health IT workforce shortfall by 85 percent.
Read Dr. Blumenthal's letter about the ONC's efforts to meet the demand for health IT support.
Read other coverage about health information technology:
- 7 Key Considerations Before Investing in a Health Information Exchange Network
- EMRs Improve Reporting of Hospitals' Adverse Events to Regulators
- FDA Plans to Create 5-Year IT Strategic Plan