From my perspective, the upcoming year will present many challenges and opportunities for the health care information industry. Although EHR adoption will continue, a lack of interoperability standards will remain an obstacle for groups and practices working toward optimal coordination and information exchange. Also, privacy and security concerns must be addressed if widespread acceptance of health IT products and technology is expected from consumers and health care providers. Federal and state efforts to support and fund RHIOs and HIEs will keep the industry alert and waiting to see what fails and what succeeds while individual doctors, multipractice groups and hospitals will await news out of Congress and President-elect Barack Obama's administration on changes in reimbursement, incentives and regulations regarding health IT adoption and implementation.

As for events, the first half of the year promises the HIMSS 2009 Annual Conference & Exhibition in Chicago; the Sixth Annual World Health Care Congress in Washington, D.C.; and the 18th Annual WEDI National Conference in Atlanta.