This is a foundational course intended primarily for individuals who are new to the field of healthcare. It provides an overview of the U.S. healthcare "system," including a brief history, and explains the basics of how healthcare is organized and delivered.

Course Contributors:
Jeffrey Kramer, Ph.D., Director, Center for Healthcare and Insurance Studies, University of Connecticut

Robert Booz, Principal, Durham Consulting Group, Durham, CT

Reviewer:
Grant Savage, Ph.D., Richard Scrushy/ Healthsouth Chair & Professor in Healthcare Management, University of Alabama

Instructor:
Valerie Prater, MBA, Keller Graduate School of Management, DeVry University, Chicago, IL

An introduction to the information technologies field including a brief history on the evolution of HIT and dominant technologies currently in use. Primarily intended for individuals with little or no IT background.

Course Contributors:
Sarah Broome, Ph.D., Educator & Consultant in Healthcare IT, Chapel Hill, NC

Stephen Earle, Decision Support Specialist, Lifespan, Providence, RI

Reviewer:
Greg Walton, Vice President and CIO, Carilion Health System, Roanoke, VA

Instructor:
Tim Dotson, Clinical Pharmacist-Informatics, Duke University Hospital, Durham, NC

This session provides an overview of the major clinical and administrative applications needed across the continuum of healthcare providers including hospitals, long term care facilities, private practice groups, home care agencies, and others.

Course Contributors:
Christopher A. Scanzera, MBA, Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Florham Park, NJ

Steven Roth, MBA, Principal, Healthcare Consulting Practice, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Florham Park, NJ

Reviewer:
John McLamb, Director of Informatics, UNC School of Medicine

Instructor:
Vaseal Lewis, Senior Information Technology Consultant, Favor Tech Consulting, Fredericksburg, VA

Possible topics include systems analysis and design, needs assessment, requirements definition, project life cycle methodology, and developing a successful RFP. Also, methods for evaluating vendors and proposed solutions, contract negotiations, building a successful support team, maximizing the effectiveness of internal staff and/or external resources, acceptance testing, and the ongoing support and monitoring of application systems.

Course Contributors:
Soloman Appavu, Director, Systems Planning, Cook County Hospital & Cook County Bureau of Health Services, Chicago, IL

Michael L. Kraten, MPPM, CPA, President, Enterprise Management Corporation, Stratford, CT

Reviewer:
Pam McNutt, Senior Vice President & CIO, Methodist Hospital of Dallas, Dallas, TX

Instructor:
Tony O'Koren, Senior Halth Information Technology Consultant, Mariway Consulting, Burke, VA

This session will focus on newer technologies including internet/intranet applications, wireless networking, data warehouses, computerized patient records (CPR)/electronic medical records (EMR), tele-health, artificial intelligence and biometrics, among others. Emphasis will be placed on those technologies that are attracting sufficient interest and investment, as well as newer technologies that have found general applicability and acceptance in industries outside of healthcare.

Course Contributors:
John Glaser, Vice President and CIO, Partners Healthcare, Boston, MA

Martin Fox, M.D. Ph.D., Professor, Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Connecticut

Reviewer:
Eric Yablonka, Vice President & CIO, University of Chicago Hospital and Health System, Chicago, IL

Instructor:
Tim Dotson, Clinical Pharmacist-Informatics, Duke University Hospital, Durham, NC

Topics include how to develop an eStrategy for your healthcare organization through understanding the business and technology drivers and key value propositions that support these investments. This course steps away from the dot com hype to more realistic and pragmatic measures of business value.

Course Contributors:
Mark Boxer, Senior Vice President, eBusiness, Anthem Inc., North Haven, CT

Mary Scanlon, Vice President, ebusiness, Anthem

Reviewer:
Kenneth Kleinberg, VP/Research Director, Healthcare Industry Research & Advisory Services, Gartner, Stamford, CT

Instructor:
Jim Albert , Vice President of Information Systems and Chief Information Officer, Masonicare, Bristol, CT