Demonstrating the impact of HIT in underserved communities

Research shows mixed evidence in technology adoption among providers who care for underserved groups as compared to other providers. Some work suggests that Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) have relatively robust adoption of EHRs due to the Health Center Controlled Networks (HCCNs) program and other initiatives. The aim of this presentation is to share nine different case studies of how various stakeholders adapted new and existing approaches to using health IT as a meaningful tool in addressing the problems facing underserved, racial/ethnic and LEP communities. This collection of case studies highlights nine community-based programs using health IT to address the needs of populations with documented disparities in access, quality of care, and outcomes. Each case study discusses the type of intervention used and the providers and populations involved, providing detail on stakeholders' experience adopting and using various health IT solutions to improve health care delivery and outcomes for vulnerable groups.

The nine case studies include: 1.Using telepsychiatry for the treatment of depression in underserved Hispanics 2. Enabling service: Using health IT to ensure patients receive more than just health care 3. Promoting and tracking wellness behaviors within an existing case-management program 4. Using health IT to improve quality, coordination, and access for rural and migrant populations 5. Leveraging health IT to provide quality care 6. PHRs: Connecting at-risk youth to health and social services 7. Using multi-modal health IT tools to improve quality and delivery of care in an urban setting 8. Using telehealth to improve chronic disease management and 9. GAHITREC: Helping eligible providers reach Meaningful Use

While there is growing evidence of the effectiveness of health IT and the promise of using these new tools to reduce health disparities, there is continued need for additional research in this area.