The American Medical Association is planning to offer a health information exchange solution to its 240,000 member physicians and other interested physicians.
The AMA has partnered with Detroit-based Covisint, a subsidiary of Compuware, to offer physicians services though an AMA-branded framework, said Brett Furst, Covisint's vice president of healthcare.
"Covisint technology is the gold standard of secure collaboration, and now AMA physicians will have unprecedented access to the latest and most useful information that can help improve patient care and enhance day-to-day practice management," said AMA Board Chairman Joseph M. Heyman, MD. "The AMA is focusing on products and services that can provide very practical and tangible help to practicing physicians."
AMA officials say the Covisint platform will provide physicians with services and resources aimed at increasing medical practice efficiency and facilitating the adoption of health information technology, including help with implementing electronic health records.
"This is going to have an immediate practical value for their membership," especially in helping physicians seeking stimulus dollars, he said.
Furst said the service will address a physician's need as a business owner, student and clinician.
The platform provides categories such as practice management tools, resources for professional development and clinical management services. It will also provide personalized content, search capabilities and learning and networking opportunities.
The AMA will use the new service to extend its content to physicians in a more searchable manner by bringing back more meaningful search results, said Furst.
"Covisint will help AMA improve public health through being an essential, relevant part of physicians' lives," said Bob Paul, president and chief operating officer for Compuware. "AMA and Covisint are thought leaders committed to shaping the future of healthcare with technology that serves everyone. Together, this partnership leverages technology and innovation in a way that improves lives."
The AMA has begun piloting the new service, which Furst said has been received with enthusiasm by physicians. The service is expected to go national in early 2010.
