title: Guide for developing an information technology investment road map for population health management.
abstract: Many health systems recovering from a massive investment in electronic health records are now faced with the prospect of maturing into accountable care organizations. This maturation includes the need to cooperate with new partners, involve substantially new data sources, require investment in additional information technology (IT) solutions, and become proficient in managing care from a new perspective. Adding to the confusion, there are hundreds of population health management (PHM) vendors with overlapping product functions. This article proposes an organized approach to investing in PHM IT. The steps include assessing the organization's business and clinical goals, establishing governance, agreeing on business requirements, evaluating the ability of current IT systems to meet those requirements, setting time lines and budgets, rationalizing current and future needs and capabilities, and installing the new systems in the context of a continuously learning organization. This article will help organizations chart their position on the population health readiness spectrum and enhance their chances for a successful transition from volume-based to value-based care.
authors.affiliation: 1Independent consultant. Fellow, Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Jacquelyn S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.affiliation: 2Independent consultant. Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Richard F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.affiliation: 3Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Cambridge, Massachussetts.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Whittington
authors.forename: Kitty
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.affiliation: 5Bellin Health Systen, Green Bay, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Brad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wozney
authors.affiliation: 6HealthPartners, Bloomington, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Knudson
mesh_terms: D020811:Biomedical Technology / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019468:Disease Management; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D006801:Humans; D007449:Investments; D016730:Program Development