Topic: Consumer Information 04/02/2007

EVENTS

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Policy Committee Governance Work Group Meeting

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Policy Committee Enrollment Work Group Meeting

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Health IT Quality Measures Work Group Meeting

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FROM THE FOUNDATION

HIT Adoption Among California Dentists

What's the level of interest among California dentists in adopting health information technology, such as electronic dental health records, and how many are already making use of such systems? This snapshot of survey data provides some answers.

Diabetic Retinopathy: Call for Applications

This project will support clinics in providing remote diabetic retinopathy screenings to patients by funding retinal cameras, software, and expert consultation from the UCB School of Optometry. Applications are being accepted now through October 2010.

Revisiting the HITECH Act, One Year Later

A new report examines the progress implementing the U.S. government's multi-billion-dollar effort to jump-start adoption of information technology tools in the health care industry. Recommendations for further action by the White House and Congress are included.

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Cancer Patients' Use of Online Information Boosts Trust in Physicians

Searching online for breast cancer information is not only educational, but also can enhance patients' opinions about their physicians, according to a new study in the International Journal of Medical Informatics, HealthDay/Washington Post reports.

The study, by the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center for Excellence in Cancer Communications Research, found that frequent use of online information services initially was associated with a poor doctor-patient relationship, but patients later became more satisfied with their physicians.

The researchers tracked the opinions of 231 patients recently diagnosed with breast cancer who were provided with a computer and Internet access at no cost. The women also were taught how to use an online health education and support system, called Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System "Living With Breast Cancer" program.

The study indicates "that providing patients with access to high-quality health information about breast cancer and its related concerns may validate some of what they hear from their health care team and how they feel about their doctors," Bret Shaw, study author and an associate scientist with the CHESS program, said.

The study was funded by the National Cancer Institute (HealthDay/Washington Post, 3/30).