Editor's Viewpoint

Looking forward to 2008
Part I of this eHealth SmartBrief special year-end report looked back at the most important trends and stories of 2007. Part II, below, highlights our predictions and yours for what's in store for 2008.

From where I sit, the upcoming year will present many challenges and opportunities for our industry. EHR adoption will continue, but a lack of interoperability standards will be an obstacle to coordination among groups and systems. Also, privacy and security concerns must be addressed to gain consumer acceptance of widespread health IT adoption. AHIC 2.0, the Dossia Network project, and state efforts at RHIOs and HIEs will keep everyone on their toes, waiting to see what spells failure and what brings success.

As for events, the first half of the year promises the HIMSS 2008 Annual Conference in Orlando, Fla., the Fifth Annual World Health Care Congress in Washington, D.C., and the 17th Annual WEDI National Conference in Baltimore.

Your Predictions

Which health IT area did you focus on the most in 2007?

• Electronic health records -- 48%
• E-prescribing -- 28%
• Health information Web sites -- 21%
• RFID and wireless systems -- 3%

What do you think the trend will be for RHIOs in 2008?

• Some groups might make significant progress -- 50%
• RHIOs will continue to experience problems and setbacks in 2008 -- 41%
• RHIOs will gain traction and achieve success next year -- 9%

Which of the following should be the focus in 2008?

• Interoperability of health IT systems -- 50%
  
• Additional funding support for health IT in clinical applications -- 19%
• Privacy concerns for patients -- 17%
• More widespread adoption of health IT in clinical applications -- 14%

What do you think is the most significant barrier to entry for small practices looking to adopt EHR systems?

• Cost -- 68%
• Implementation -- 16%
• Participant buy-in -- 16%
• Maintenance and repair -- 0%

eHealth 2008 Events

Upcoming Conferences

HIMSS 2008 Annual Conference
Feb. 24 to 28
Orlando, Fla.

Fifth Annual World Health Care Congress
April 21 to 23
Washington, D.C.

17th Annual WEDI National Conference
May 19 to 22
Baltimore

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