Results from Medscape Education’s two-year study on generational factors and their impact on patient engagement reveals that providers need to help equip patients across generations with the skill set for shared decision-making concerning their health. Each generation has its own set of values, communication style and expectations about their approach to health and relationships with their providers. Therefore, specialty providers must first understand the different expectations and unique needs of their multigenerational patients in order to deliver the right information and support needed to fully participate in their care.

The ICD-10 transition last October brought much stress to the healthcare community. With more than 144,000 codes and so much to learn, providers wondered how it would impact their practices, financially and administratively.

For specialty providers, especially those practices who rely on referrals from other doctors, maintaining an online presence may not be at the top of the priority list. But just like any other business, it is imperative that specialty medical practices make an effort to be online. Naturally, the next question is how do you go about solidifying our practice's online presence? Here are three ways to accomplish just that.

Virtual health care - or telemedicine - seems to be a natural step in the expansion of the Healthcare IT industry. The growth of technology in medicine has evolved into a greater interest in healthcare by text, phone or even video. With a growth rate between 18-30 percent per year, telehealth is expected to be much more common resource for providers and patients over the next few years as the benefits extend to both parties.

There are many aspects within healthcare technology that the government wants to improve - interoperability, compliance and others. But did you consider transparency to be among that group? The government does, which is why it's launched a brand new initiative to promote greater transparency among certified health IT products.

Not even the NFL is safe from the recent rise in stolen healthcare data. According to a report from Deadspin, a laptop belonging to an athletic trainer for the Washington Redskins was stolen out of the trainer's car after it was broken into. The laptop was located in a backpack, which was taken during the robbery.

If you're a plastic surgeon or work in a plastic surgery office, the importance of implementing the right practice management software is crucial to the success of the clinic. With a proper practice management system, plastic surgeons can quickly access pertinent data and information as well as maintain schedules and keep track of inventory all in one place. That kind of efficiency not only saves the practice a lot of time on various administrative workflows but it helps reduce stress as well.

Visit any healtchare IT blog today and it's likely you'll see a barrage of articles pertaining to cybersecurity - and for good reason. The healthcare industry has been especially vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks through tactics such as ransomware or data hacking, which is why the College of Healthcare Information Executives (CHIME) decided to do something about. In a press release on Tuesday,CHIME announced the creation of the Cybersecurity Center and Program Office.