Disparities in Healthcare Among Minorities and the Use of Health Information Technology

As the computing power and capabilities of information technologies continue to grow and improve, so do opportunities to modernize the US healthcare system through application of these technologies—in order to foster the health and well being of individuals in underserved minority communities.

In particular, 2011 marks a period of great opportunity to increase the rate of electronic health record (EHR) adoption because of recent policy and program initiatives and because of ongoing partnerships between the public and private sectors to make EHR adoption a reality throughout the United States. The federal commitment is highlighted in President Obama’s promise to the nation that every American will have the benefit of an EHR by 2014. 

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has led a multitude of federal initiatives to enhance the quality of patient care through the use of health information technologies (HIT), and is committed to leading and promoting this effort in 2011 and beyond. Federal and non-federal entities have been working closely together since early 2010 to improve EHR adoption.

The implementations of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act further demonstrate the federal government’s understanding of and commitment to the needs of healthcare providers and their patients. Policymakers within DHHS and its Office of Minority Health (OMH) recognize the time constraints and complexities that confront healthcare providers on a daily basis as they seek to offer quality and timely healthcare to their clients.

Many providers must balance healthcare provision with managing the administrative nuances of a clinical practice. In most cases, providers have neither the time nor expertise to analyze and apply current technologies that could increase the effectiveness and efficiency of their practices. To meet this need, DHHS programs (such as regional extension centers) offer the necessary expertise and support directly to the door of healthcare providers.

In any ongoing effort to improve the quality and utilization of HIT and EHRs, all involved constituencies, whether federal or state personnel, federal grantee, EHR vendor, community leader, or healthcare provider must work diligently and cooperatively to ensure that these technologies arrive at the doorsteps of all healthcare providers, including both minority providers and providers who practice within underserved communities of color.

Moreover, it is the responsibility of healthcare providers and researchers who practice within underserved communities of color to share with all stakeholders their strategies for success in the application of HITs—as well as their failures in achieving desired outcomes. Only through this type of open communication can evidence-based practices emerge and become broadly implemented.