La Communidad
LISTA members gathered for this group photo at the 2011 Alumni Reunion and Planning Retreat. O
ne Latino information technology professional group has made it a priority to inform minority doctors and community members about the rami- fications of the change.
Jose Marquez-Leon, president and CEO of Latinos in Informa- tion Sciences and Technology Association (LISTA), said the organization is committed to ensuring as many Latino doctors as they can reach are informed about the hows and whys of the new system.
He noted that a great many “mom and pop” physician practices, those with between one and five doctors, aren’t being contacted by vendors who provide conversion services because those vendors are pursuing larger practices through which there is greater profit. Those that aren’t being con- tacted are missing out on information about the benefits and consequences, as well as financial incentives.
Marquez-Leon pointed out that small-doctors’ offices in urban communities usually are the ones that predominantly care for ethnic patients. He said some physicians might choose to retire rather than deal with the hassles of making the conver- sions. He said Latino consumers—already at higher risks for diabetes, heart attacks and Alzheimer’s—don’t need to have another disparity stacked against them.
“If we don’t train our doctors, there will be catastrophic rami- fications,” said Marquez-Leon. “We want to make sure we are at the forefront of this change.”
The federal government is encouraging the adoption of elec- tronic medical records, and it is providing financial incentives through 2014. However, beginning in 2015, doctors who haven’t changed to electronic medical records and who treat Medicaid and Medicare patients will face financial penalties.
And the cost of converting practices to a paperless system is significant. Paper records must be scanned, computer systems and software installed, work flow redesigned and person- nel trained. Marquez-Leon estimates that the cost can easily exceed $100,000.
“We don’t want any community left behind,” he said, pointing out all groups such as blacks and Asians need to be informed as well.
Marquez-Leon and his colleagues also seek to ensure that Latino doctors don’t miss out on the estimated $600 million in assistance that the federal government is currently making available to doctors’ offices to help with the conversion.
Since 2009 LISTA and its offshoot, the National Latino Alli- ance on Health Information Technology, has hosted monthly
12 HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | 2011
www.hispanicengineer.com
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