As we approach the twilight days of 2003, it is opportune to focus
attention on our priorities for the coming year. One priority, which
I consider to be of paramount importance for the long term, has to
do with information technology (IT).
The tremendous advances in IT over
the last number of years offer some formidable opportunities and
challenges to the health field. Electronic management of
information, networking and instant connectivity introduces a rich
menu of possibilities to improve the quality and efficiency of
medical practice, both clinically and administratively. In fact, the
prospects are so enormous that both public and private sectors are
investing billions of dollars in a frenzied race to develop newer
and better applications and bigger infrastructure. Web portals aimed
at the physician market are popping up everywhere.
As the technological developments
unfold around us, it is important that all of our members are well
positioned to capitalize on new advances as they become available.
In order to do this, we must ensure that collectively we are active
participants in shaping those aspects of the IT agenda that relate
to medical care. This is crucial as one of the fundamental building
blocks of any future health information system will be the
“electronic medical record”, which is composed primarily of
physician-driven information. We have been and will continue to work
closely with government and the
Newfoundland and
Labrador Centre for Health Information to ensure that necessary
progress is being made and that the medical profession has
meaningful input and leadership where it ought to.
Over the next year we will be
devoting significant energy to determining the needs of our
membership with respect to IT. Our needs assessment will focus on
three key areas: members’ current technical knowledge and skill;
current use of IT applications; and, access to suitable equipment
and support. Once the necessary information is acquired, we intend
to mount a vigorous campaign that will enable our medical community
and patients to benefit from the wealth of IT that is potentially at
our disposal.
Let me take this opportunity to wish
all of you a joyous holiday season and a new year of health and
happiness.
Robert
Ritter is the Executive Director of the NLMA. |
