News Feature | September 24, 2014

VARs Could Be Missing Invaluable HIMSS Resources

By Megan Williams, contributing writer

HIMSS And VARs

When it comes to information in the healthcare arena, you’ll find few spaces more connected and useful than the Health Information And Management Systems Society’s (HIMSS) website.

The not-for-profit is much more than a global networking resource. The organization functions as, according to the website, a leader in “efforts to optimize health engagements and care outcomes using information technology.”

HIMSS has been producing thought leadership, education, events, market research, and media resources since 1961, and boasts more than 52,000 members, 600 corporations, and 250 not-for-profit partners. For VARs engaged with health IT, the organization offers a wide range of useful products and services, many of which are available online.

Flexible Education

While HIMSS offers many in-person opportunities for education, they also provide multiple, online educational services. The eLearning Academy features multi-media educational opportunities, including conference recordings, webinars and virtual events, self-study courses, and continuing education. Free trials are available and topics include…

  • accountable care organizations (ACOs)
  • American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, and Meaningful Use (MU)
  • clinical decision support (CDS)
  • clinical informatics
  • electronic health records (EHR)
  • health information exchange (HIE)
  • ICD-10
  • mobile health (mHealth)
  • physician practice
  • privacy and security
  • public health
  • quality, patient safety and risk management

The complete course listing is available here and all courses are pre-approved for Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS) continuing education (CE) hours.

Resource Library

The organization’s resource library is impressive to say the least. Topics include accountable care (an area VARs have fallen behind on), clinical informatics, health information exchanges, patient engagement, and 23 other topics. Each topic includes a mix of podcasts, toolkits, clinician resources, whitepapers, and local connection resources.

For Your Clients

Proper education around health IT is becoming more important everyday. It is a heavy determinant in not only how well your clients understand the importance of what you offer them, but also in how satisfied they are with you as a solutions provider.

HIMSS offers a series of continuing education resources specifically for clinicians, ranging from cost management and quality control, to health data liquidity, and building analytics capability for consumer engagement. Making your clients aware of these courses is a great way to distinguish yourself as a connected and engaged service provider.

Access

Some resources do require payment or membership for access. VARs would be eligible for corporate memberships, available in gold, platinum and diamond levels.