Attaining meaningful use of health information technology in a residency program: challenges and rewards

The US Federal Government has offered financial incentives to physicians and hospitals for using health care technology in ways that may improve the quality of patient care, via the use of an electronic health record. Although many barriers exist to achieving the health care technology requirements necessary to capture these incentives, several strategies were employed by the University of Hawai'i Family Medicine Residency Program at the Physician Center at Mililani to overcome these barriers, in order to register and attest for these financial rewards. The rewards are substantial, and may total up to $44,000/eligible provider over 5 years, and $63,750/eligible provider over 6 years, for Medicare and Medicaid respectively. Both programs have different incentive payment schedules for hospital facilities. This article intends to outline the process and challenges involved in meeting the specific requirements necessary to qualify for this funding, and to assist others in this endeavor, particularly (but not limited to) residency training programs, which face a unique set of challenges.