The healthcare world is abuzz with news: It’s National Health IT Week.
From October 2 through October 6, stakeholders — including Congress, the Administration, nonprofits and providers — reflect on the value of health IT and raise awareness of its significance.
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The origins of NHIT Week date back to 2006, when it was founded by HIMSS and the Institute for e-Health Policy. As Tom Leary, vice president of government relations for HIMSS North America, noted in a blog post, getting the initiative off the ground was an arduous process.
“In early years, we focused efforts on bringing together as many people as possible in Washington, D.C.,” he wrote. “They would then speak to members of Congress, senators and staff about the benefits of health IT, and explain the importance of nationwide recognition of health IT’s value.”
NHIT Week has evolved since then, but its focus remains the same.
This year, the week highlights supporting healthcare transformation, expanding access to high-quality care, increasing economic opportunity and making communities healthier.
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With these objectives in mind, NHIT Week is chock-full of events happening across the country. And it’s not just in-person events. In the true spirit of health IT, there are webinars and Twitter chats as well.
Additionally, the Virtual March on Washington allows individuals to send a letter to Congress in support of HIMSS’ Congressional Asks. This year, HIMSS is recommending that Congress create an HHS cyber leader role, pass the CONNECT for Health Act of 2017 and invest in infrastructure to support 21st century healthcare.
Students in the health policy, informatics and public health fields are also encouraged to get involved. As part of the first Student Case Competition, undergraduates, graduates, residents and Fellows can analyze a case study supplied by HIMSS. Three winners will receive awards. Registration is open from October 4 through November 20.
Any and all stakeholders can share their story by writing a brief blog post about how technology is transforming healthcare. The narratives are then published on the NHIT Week website.
If nothing else, interested individuals can use the hashtags circling social media all week: #NHITweek, #IHeartHIT and #HITworks.
Photo: DrAfter123, Getty Images