User Groups Like InSight: Worthwhile “Mind Share”

Healthcare is large-scale, fast-moving, critical to our quality of life, and a key driver to the world economy. There are many different moving parts: capital investments are being made enterprise-wide; Congress is beginning to play an active role, through resolutions like HIPPA and mandates like barcode adoption; breakthrough clinical discoveries are being made; both procedural and medicinal. A tremendous amount of public awareness has come to light about the role of the payors, with the proliferation of HMOs and the trickle-down ramifications.

Needless to say, those of us working in healthcare have a lot to think about. This demand for our time and attention, juxtaposed with our human limitations on waking hours brings to mind a term coined by Madison Avenue's marketing wizards: “ mind share.”

In this, my first NewsLink column, I'd like to argue why user groups like InSight are worthy of your “mind share.” Let's consider the following points…

• User groups make your work easier. Utilizing online forums will help you solve problems and learn new things each day. For example, members of InSight SIGs may ask a question to their peers online in the morning, and have a solution for their quandary that same afternoon.

• User groups improve the tools you use each day. By actively participating in InSight, the thoughts and wishes of one member are connected with others and are amplified to the vendor. In other words, your voice really will be heard through the help of this organization. For this reason, InSight is undertaking a huge internal project to improve and broaden the scope of our current enhancement process.

• User groups help you stay in-the-know. Through forums and online discussion boards, InSight will help you stay on top of industry information. We offer frequent coverage of cutting edge technologies and platforms like the Product Solution Center at the InSight Annual Conference, which showcases almost 100 percent of yet-to-market products that are still in beta format. Furthermore, the benefits of networking with those of common interests, leads to conversations about common-ground topics and harbors learning.

• User groups are a wise spend of your dollar and time (value!). InSight headquarters recently conducted a massive member survey to assess your needs, values and concerns. Of the surveys returned, 84 percent believe their organization views InSight and its programs and services as either “Very Positive” or “Positive.” Furthermore, 82 percent would rate their experience as an InSight member as “Very Positive” or “Positive.” Because none of us are taking university courses about McKesson software, it is pertinent that we keep each other informed — one of the primary benefits of being an InSight member — whether it be at the annual convention or simply utilizing the tools offered on www.insight-net.org.

For these same reasons, I am personally excited to begin my tenure as 2005 InSight President. My job at St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network (Bethlehem , Penn.) is a significant drain on my “mind share.” That said, I'm thrilled about the prospect of carving out time and energy to leading our independent, volunteer-lead organization. I'm hopeful that all of NewsLink's readers feel similarly.

Please send me your thoughts! This is your organization — there is no “machine” that keeps InSight running; it is people like you and me. What can we improve? What should we change? Please email me at jonesc@slhn.org.

Cyndi Jones
InSight President
CIO, St. Luke's Health Network