AHRQ Conference:
Blumenthal calls for more study on uses of Health IT
Mary Mosquera of Government Health IT reported on September 14, 2009 from the Annual Conference of Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), just outside Washington, DC, that National Coordinator for Health IT, David Blumenthal, “anticipates an enormous amount of research will be needed to determine the effectiveness of health information technology at the same time as it is widely deployed under the stimulus.” Blumenthal said that while research on EHR usage has been done in individual hospital and practice settings, a great deal of research will need to be conducted in many different settings across a large spectrum to ensure the most effective use of the technology.  AHRQ issues grants to conduct research in Health IT, and AHRQ Director Carolyn Clancy said new research would look into its impact.

AHRQ: Consumers don’t understand Health IT
Mary Mosquera of Government Health IT further reported September 14, 2009, on AHRQ research among consumer focus that “Although healthcare is a very important issue to most people, ‘the specific issue of health IT is not because they do not perceive a strong connection between health IT and healthcare quality.’” Focus group members were very concerned about privacy issues involving Health IT. Public education could help mitigate these concerns according to the report.

AHRQ Report: Report on Engaging Consumers in Health IT Development (pdf)