While the average person may not think of IT in the healthcare industry on a day-to-day basis, healthcare provider IT is fascinating. In 2005, some of the top priority issues include making investments in clinical information systems (e.g., electronic prescribing, electronic health records), leveraging the web to increase value to consumers and patients, and reducing costs created in payer and provider process flows.

Given new systems, new workflows extending to the consumer, need for increased collaboration between the payer and provider, and the like, there are varying levels of impact on IT support. Where can one engage with others in the healthare IT support area to find out the actual scoop? It turns out that HDI, the world's largest membership association for the service and support industry, is conducting quarterly Healthcare Forums, and these may be the ticket for you. The next Forum is in Baltimore, MD from September 14-16.

Healthcare Forum events are not everyday events. Participation is generally limited 15-20 senior support executives within the healthcare sector. Topics at each Forum are decided by Forum participants.

Example benefits of the forums include:

• World-class presenters
• Focused and in-depth coverage of topics
• Motivation and challenge from peers
• Benchmark and best practice ideas
• Year-round personal executive advisory board and networking

As a special note about HDI membership, you may join today to receive a special promotional package that includes a Gold HDI Membership, an HDM Online Certification training class, plus a test voucher, a site certification self-evaluation, and an ITIM conference pass for $1,795 (a $2624 value). This promo runs through June 30, 2005.

Steve Shu