Removing health IT barriers

The AMA advocates that federal legislation to encourage technology use should incorporate physicians' ideas, particularly in regard to technical standards, privacy and financing.

Editorial. July 7, 2008.

Congress is looking at how it can provide incentives for the rapid adoption of health information technology, thereby bringing the idea of a nationwide, interoperable and connected health IT system closer to reality. Both that positive intention and the potential for problems from poor implementation are well-recognized in the medical community.

Physicians understand the transformative power of technology in health care. When properly put into place, widespread health IT adoption can improve patient safety, advance care coordination and increase administrative efficiency. It can give physicians the power of real-time, clinically relevant patient information and up-to-date clinical decision support, all at the point of care.

"It will be like going from a horse and buggy to a bullet train," said AMA Board of Trustees Member Steven J. Stack, MD. He spoke June 4 before the health subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which was reviewing a discussion draft of health IT-related legislation.

The AMA's presence at the hearing underscored its commitment to work with Congress to make sure that transition is as smooth and effective as possible. For some time the AMA has said what it believes should be a part of any federal effort regarding health IT. The AMA focuses on three common barriers to health IT adoption: technical standards, privacy and financing.