Difference between revisions of "AS I.T. AND CLINICAL CONTINUE TO BLEND, THE ROLE OF CMIO WILL GROW"

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Healthcare Informatics Issue Date: February 2008

AS I.T. AND CLINICAL CONTINUE TO BLEND, THE ROLE OF CMIO WILL GROW

Sitting at the nexus of healthcare and I.T., CMIOs are in a unique position to ensure both sides of the aisle are on the same page

by Mark Hagland

INTRODUCTION: Utilizing interviews, annual surveys and reports, this article explores the changing role of the chief medical information officer (CMIO). Several points are addressed, including the increasing need for CMIOs as hospitals and health systems implement information systems (IS), the current role and work of the CMIO and the predicted role of the CMIO over the next several years.

DISCUSSION: The need for physicians with clinical experience combined with informatics understanding is becoming clearer and is essential to organizational success. As patient care organizations go electronic, their information systems become the core operational technologies (OT) that make the business run. Knowledge of the clinical process is a crucial component for the successful function of the information technology (IT) systems.

Previously, those who were good at technology could fill the CMIO role simply by being physician champions and encouraging colleagues to adopt changes. That role is rapidly evolving to include knowledge of the business reasons for technology adoption. Project management and business skills are necessary to support medical care delivery through technology adoption. CMIOs need to be business people and not just “advocates of the medical staff.” A strong knowledge of informatics is necessary.

A survey of current CMIOs reveals their duties to include the building of order sets, the management of clinical content and IS design. An example provided is “the building of order sets to support CPOE. Not only is that set of tasks essential and doable only by clinicians, it also requires an understanding of workflow, data flow, and information flow that only CMIOs can lead the process of determining.”

The future role of the CMIO is solid, expressed those interviewed. New technologies and initiatives will keep the CMIO in demand even after initial implementations have been completed. The CMIO will also become more a part of the clinical team, reporting to the chief medical officer (CMO), rather than staying with the IT team and connecting with the chief information officer (CIO). Concern was raised that progress will be uneven between large healthcare organizations, such as multi-hospital systems and academic institutions, and smaller community hospitals. Smaller facilities often cannot afford or acquire the time and expertise of a CMIO.

SUMMARY: The role of the CMIO has changed from being a medical staff advocate to being a business person with combined clinical experience and informatics expertise. As core technologies become the a priori means of healthcare delivery, the CMIO is a critical component for successful IT implementation and use in the clinical arena. CMIOs are, and will continue to be, in great demand although there is concern they may not be well represented in community hospital settings. In the future, the role of the CMIO will evolve and grow along with changing healthcare technologies, and will persist long after implementations have been completed.

Submitted by Sheri King