For Immediate Release Med-IQ Partners with Humana to Measure Impact of Physician Education on Atrial Fibrillation Patient Care |
Faculty Joseph S. Alpert, MD | ||||
BALTIMORE, Md.—November 3, 2009—Med-IQ and Humana have announced a collaboration to research the impact of a comprehensive continuing medical educational (CME) initiative intended for cardiologists on the level of care delivered to patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). AF is increasingly recognized as a serious, potentially disabling disorder associated with complications including stroke, tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy, structural and electrical remodeling of the heart, and decreased overall survival. It is important for clinicians to recognize the broad spectrum of AF, assess risk, and tailor patient therapy accordingly. | |||||
In collaboration with Med-IQ, researchers at the University of Miami-Humana Health Services Research Center will conduct a comprehensive study examining how knowledge gained through this educational activity influences participants’ practice behavior and impact on patient outcomes. "This research study has the potential to help physicians further improve their practice performance and see real benefit in terms of patient outcomes," says Thomas Harkins, MA, MPH, project manager at the University of Miami-Humana Health Services Research Center. Humana is one of the nation’s largest publicly traded health benefits companies with regional and national networks of more than 450,000 physicians, hospitals, pharmacies, and ancillary care providers in almost every state. In its research, Humana will observe the care of patients with AF treated by its network of physicians in the 12-month period prior to and after participation in this educational initiative. “This partnership with Humana will help us measure, in part, whether we are accomplishing our mission to deliver education that brings measurable change to healthcare professional competency, with the ultimate goal of improving performance and patient outcomes,” says Scott E. Weber, Co-CEO of Med-IQ. The Med-IQ/Humana collaboration also supports 8 general Competency Areas for CME professionals, as outlined by the Alliance for Continuing Medical Education (ACME): Adult/Organizational Learning Principles; Educational Interventions; Performance Measurement; Systems Thinking; Partnering; Leadership; Administration/Management, and Self Assessment and Lifelong Learning. About Humana Humana, Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the nation’s largest publicly traded health benefits companies, with 10.6 million medical members. Humana offers a diversified portfolio of health insurance products and related services—through traditional and consumer-choice plans—to employer groups, government-sponsored plans, and individuals. Over its 45-year history, Humana has consistently seized opportunities to meet changing customer needs. Today, the company is a leader in consumer engagement, providing guidance that leads to lower costs and a better health plan experience throughout its diversified customer portfolio. More information regarding Humana is available on the company’s Web site at www.humana.com.
About Med-IQ Med-IQ, America’s most respected continuing medical education (CME) company, is an accredited provider of CME that educates and inspires healthcare professionals through programs that deliver sophisticated outcomes-based educational designs with measurable results in professional competence and performance. Med-IQ is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the California Board of Registered Nursing (CBRN), and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing medical education to physicians, nurses, and pharmacists, respectively. To learn more about us, visit www.Med-IQ.com. For more information, contact: Breck Thomas-Ross | |||||
Catherine B. Mullaney, MHA |