Newswatch: October 2004

How do physicians view nationalized healthcare?

The topic of nationalized healthcare is one that has received much attention lately, and most everyone has an opinion on its benefits and shortcomings. But what are the folks saying who will be directly affected by the extended governmental role-the physicians, particularly those in the field of medical imaging?

The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS of Chicago) recently released a survey of 401 respondents that reflects varying positions on the role that the federal government should play in the implementation of IT in healthcare.

Nearly half of the respondents indicated that creating incentives for organizations using IT within the Medicare program will have the most impact toward helping organizations mitigate their financial investment in healthcare IT systems. However, only one quarter indicated that using government purchasing power through federal programs, such as the VA, is the most effective means of demonstrating the return on investment of healthcare IT projects. Additionally, most respondents do not think that the federal government should become involved in the certification of healthcare IT products.