The healthcare industry is not immune from the far reaching opportunities of the Internet. In fact, according to AHA News, "information exchange via the Internet and new technologies ‘will infuse health care’s growth and development.’" Rural health providers are in a position to create even greater impact beyond that normally envisioned for eHealth.

With an increasing introduction of eHealth web sites, you’ve got to be wondering how you and other health professionals should be involved and what will be expected in the future. Since so many health care providers find themselves located in rural areas, with limited staff, no excess technical experience, and communities that just don’t seem to understand the Internet, it is even more challenging to figure out how the Internet is going to affect you. We all know that individuals are seeking out more and more information on the Internet about health issues, unfortunately, that information isn’t always correct. Well maybe it’s time to take the bull by the horn.

This seminar is for those who wish to see what’s going on, and really for those wanting to see what it will take to get involved. We’ll talk and we’ll discuss, but we’ll also do. We’ll do a check of what is taking place now; do a review and discussion of the eHealth code of ethics and practice; do an analysis of the plan and development of one of the first eHealth applications for a rural health network; and do some hands on development so you can see what it’s going to take to be involved. We’ll also discuss how this current push toward eHealth is related to Telemedicine and health information systems.

• An appreciation of the impact of your development in eHealth on your service area, both from a health perspective and a healthy community perspective.

• Knowing more about the Internet and the potential of the Internet.

• Able to select the resources needed to support an eHealth application.

• Practice at creating applications that interact with patients and/or providers, creating communication tools that enhance or create relationships, developing patient and continuing medical education components that invite your patients and providers to fully use your health services, how to produce live meetings and programs using today’s streaming video technology, and much more.

• Knowing a model that can be followed to reduce the risk associated with your eHealth development.

• A strategy that not only addresses your concerns about how the Internet is used now, but sets the stage for using the Internet for electronic medical records, greater coordination among providers, and delivery of in-home health services without needing to invest in in-home technology.

Who should attend?:

• Health professionals who know little about the Internet, but are interested in determining its impact.

• Health professionals and administrators looking to create valuable new services and opportunities within their service area.

• Health professionals, administrators, and policy makers who are concerned about access to health information and continuity of care, and see the Internet as a potential tool to access incorrect information or services that threaten local health systems.

• Health professionals, administrators, and policy makers who are concerned that their community will be left behind in this new push toward technology.

• Computer professionals who are responsible for developing a provider’s web presence but want to become more aware of the possibilities.

Program Faculty

Greg Smith is President of Rural Health Futures, Inc. and the Pratt Telecommunity Center, Inc. Greg has been in the technology field for more than twenty-five years and has extensive experience in technology application development. His computer knowledge, experiences in the health care and economic development fields, and familiarities with rural issues have created many unique opportunities for rural communities. Greg has spent several years developing technology capabilities and knowledge in areas that include Telemedicine, health information systems, eHealth and many more areas that impact and empower rural communities.

For more information about Greg Smith click here >>>

Find out what others have said about the Center’s efforts by clicking here >>>

America Online Foundation on the efforts of the Pratt Telecommunity center >>>

Costs

This seminar will be held at the Pratt Telecommunity Center located at 109 E. Third St. in Pratt, Kansas on Sept. 11th beginning at 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. A 30 minute lunch break is included so that participants can sample Pratt’s interesting downtown area. Cost for the seminar is $175.00. Class size is limited to ensure that each participant has an adequate opportunity for exploring the technology. Seminar costs include refreshments to be served during morning and afternoon breaks. To register you can call (316) 672-5995 or register online by clicking on the link: register now! For available lodging check the Pratt community web site at www.prattkan.com.