Continuing on my review of ARRA Title XIII from a patient-empowerment perspective…
SEC. 3012. HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION ASSISTANCE
Patient input in the creation of a Health Information Technology Research Center is alluded to…sort of…
‘‘(2) INPUT.—The Center shall incorporate input from— ‘‘(A) other Federal agencies with demonstrated experi- ence and expertise in information technology services such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology; ‘‘(B) users of health information technology, such as providers and their support and clerical staff and others involved in the care and care coordination of patients, from the health care and health information technology industry; and ‘‘(C) others as appropriate.
Health Information Technology Regional Extension Centers
Could a center be affiliated with a patient and family based organization, to provide assistance related to patient and family access to HIT?
‘‘(2) AFFILIATION.—Regional centers shall be affiliated with any United States-based nonprofit institution or organization, or group thereof, that applies and is awarded financial assist- ance under this section. Individual awards shall be decided on the basis of merit.
SEC. 3013. STATE GRANTS TO PROMOTE HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Under use of state grant funds, #6:
‘‘(6) assisting patients in utilizing health information technology;
Under required consultation, patients included, #3:
‘‘(g) REQUIRED CONSULTATION.—In carrying out activities described in subsections (b) and (c), a State or qualified State- designated entity shall consult with and consider the recommenda- tions of— ‘‘(1) health care providers (including providers that provide services to low income and underserved populations); ‘‘(2) health plans; ‘‘(3) patient or consumer organizations that represent the population to be served; ‘‘(4) health information technology vendors; ‘‘(5) health care purchasers and employers; ‘‘(6) public health agencies; ‘‘(7) health professions schools, universities and colleges; ‘‘(8) clinical researchers; ‘‘(9) other users of health information technology such as the support and clerical staff of providers and others involved in the care and care coordination of patients; and ‘‘(10) such other entities, as may be determined appropriate by the Secretary.
SEC. 3015. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM TO INTEGRATE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INTO CLINICAL EDUCATION
I have a soft spot for clinical education as a great place to teach patient centered care and patient and family inclusion. So maybe when we say “EHR” below, we could substitute “EHR and PHR,” after all, do do the things that the plan is being asked to do requires patient and family involvement.
‘‘(2) submit to the Secretary a strategic plan for integrating certified EHR technology in the clinical education of health professionals to reduce medical errors, increase access to prevention, reduce chronic diseases, and enhance health care quality;
Use of grant funds to require more than one discipline may also promote patient centered approaches, based on the disciplines involved, I am thinking osteopathic medicine and nursing…
‘(1) IN GENERAL.—With respect to a grant under subsection (a), an eligible entity shall— ‘‘(A) use grant funds in collaboration with 2 or more disciplines; and ‘‘(B) use grant funds to integrate certified EHR tech- nology into community-based clinical education.
SEC. 3016. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS IN HEALTH CARE
An emphasis on short term programs, and as with above, people may need to be thinking in an expanded way to include training in patient and family access in new environments, such as inpatient or long term care…
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the National Science Foundation, shall provide assist- ance to institutions of higher education (or consortia thereof) to establish or expand medical health informatics education programs, including certification, undergraduate, and masters degree pro- grams, for both health care and information technology students to ensure the rapid and effective utilization and development of health information technologies (in the United States health care infrastructure).
‘‘(c) PRIORITY.—In providing assistance under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give preference to the following: ‘‘(1) Existing education and training programs. ‘‘(2) Programs designed to be completed in less than six months.