National Regional Extension Centers and Health Information Exchange Summit West Marcia Thomas-Brown Chief Operating Officer October 2010 San Francisco, CA
Introducing NHIT Our Vision To become the premiere, respected, innovative and established nexus of transdisciplinary partners that contributes to the elimination of health disparities and the attainment of optimal health through the effective use of health information technology (HIT) for our populations of focus. These constitute the underserved, with an emphasis on communities of color, and those who care for them. Our Purpose To support the full engagement of the populations of focus with respect to HIT planning, adoption and utilization; education and outreach; workforce development and training; policy development and implementation; finance and sustainability; and research and evaluation
NHIT S GOALS Represent the needs of the populations of focus, utilizing HIT as a tool to assure that those populations are addressed and included through existing and proposed policies, programs and research efforts; Establish strategic partnerships involving public, private and community stakeholders to maximize the NHIT s impact and influence; Engage consumers from NHIT s populations of focus regarding the benefits of HIT, using culturally and linguistically appropriate strategies; Inform and educate the general public about the benefits of HIT for NHIT s populations of focus; Leverage NHIT s influence and serve as a widely recognized and highly respected resource regarding HIT for the underserved.
NHIT Overview Official Launch of NHIT June 12, 2008 Management Committee Association of Clinicians for the Underserved ehealth Initiative Foundation Institute for E-Health Policy, HIMSS Foundation Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies Health Policy Institute Office of Minority Health, DHHS Summit Health Institute for Research and Education, Inc. Program Management Office (SHIRE) 100+ Collaborative Partners Areas of Focus Including: Privacy & Security, Consumers, Providers, Education and Outreach, Policy, Workforce Development and Training, Finance and Sustainability
NHIT s Position NHIT supports the goal of leveraging advances in health information technology (HIT) to expand health care access, improve quality, promote consumer self-management and reduce and ultimately eliminate health disparities experienced by underserved populations, with an emphasis on communities of color and those who care for them. NHIT views HIT as an enabler of a reformed medical intervention system, as well as an indispensable requirement for a robust, well-financed health promotion/disease prevention infrastructure. This infrastructure is essential for a shift from sick care to wellness. With regard to HIT, we must leave no community behind!
Who Are the Underserved? Uninsured U.S. residents 47 million - Less likely to have usual course of care - More likely to have gone without needed care Residents in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) urban and rural areas having a shortage of certain providers - 6,080 Primary Care HPSAs 65 million residents 16,585 practitioners needed to meet their need - 4,091 Dental HPSAs 49 million residents 9,579 practitioners needed - 3,132 Mental Health HPSAs - 80 million residents 5,352 practitioners needed
Who Are the Underserved? Communities of Color Population percentage in 2008 = 34%; est. percentage in 2050 =54% AHRQ National Healthcare Disparities Report: For Blacks, Asians, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Hispanics, and poor people, at least 60% of measures of quality care are not improving (either stayed the same (2001/2006) or worsened.) Racial and ethnic minorities..are disproportionately represented among individuals with access problems, such as insurance. SES explains some but not all of the differences in the health insurance coverage of racial and ethnic groups under age 65.
Defining the Safety Net Institute of Medicine: Those providers that organize and deliver a significant level of health care and other health-related services to uninsured, Medicaid and other vulnerable patients. -Core safety net providers public hospitals, FQHCs, local health departments -- Teaching and community hospitals, ambulatory care sites - Free clinics, oral health, behavioral health, AIDS, school-based clinics that are often not Federally qualified -- Private physicians IOM, 2000
Problem Identification Why is NHIT partnering with selected RECs to engage providers and support EHR adoption in underserved and communities of color? Providers in Underserved and CC are lagging in EHR adoption rates. WHY? How do we know this? Information and feedback obtain from provider survey, feedback from a number of CBO, individual conversations with providers and professional organization leadership, Teach Ins held on August 2009 in Atlanta and June 23 2010 in Los Angeles. Other examples. Could use some statistis. Early recognition of the problem quote from letter to dr Blumenthal January 2010 and NHIT comments in MU regulations.
Solution Implement an Education & Outreach program that would take into account the weakness identified in ONC s program and based on our extensive experience working in our communities. The program is develop as a model that could be expended and offer support to other REC. ID challenges of communicating with providers in underserved communities and communities of color. Need to outline NHIT s approach to engaging providers - Program?. What do we do that is so different.
Thank You! For more information, contact: Marcia Thomas-Brown, Chief Operating Officer Mthomas-brown@shireinc.org www.nhitunderserved.org