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News Release

For Immediate Release

Med-IQ Partners with Humana to Measure Impact of Physician Education on Atrial Fibrillation Patient Care

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Faculty

Joseph S. Alpert, MD
Professor of Medicine
University of Arizona College of Medicine
Tucson, AZ
Editor-In-Chief
American Journal of Medicine

Gerald V. Naccarelli, MD
Bernard Trabin Chair in Cardiology
Professor of Medicine
Chief, Division of Cardiology
Penn State Heart & Vascular Institute
Hershey, PA

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.

To increase physician knowledge and improve practice behavior, a complimentary, certified CME Webcast, Individualizing Care in Atrial Fibrillation to Improve Patient Outcomes, will illustrate best practices related to everyday clinical situations encountered by physicians who care for patients with AF. Through didactic presentations and interactive case studies, faculty will provide the evidence-based science that clinicians need to make informed decisions at the point of care and improve patient outcomes. Physicians can view this complimentary, certified CME Webcast at www.Afib-IQ.com.

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.
The Endocrine
 Society


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
Media & PR Consultant
Humana, Inc.
502 580 8676
bathomas@humana.com

Catherine B. Mullaney, MHA
Vice President, Audience Development
and Educational Outcomes
Med-IQ
443 543 5154
info@med-iq.com

Med-IQ