HIMSS launches autumn conference on Connected Health
The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society is launching a new conference, which will take place between November 8-10 and will be split into three distinct summits: mHealth, exploring what is new in mobile, telehealth and connected health; Cyber Security, to discuss health sector cyber threats, protection, detection, response and recovery; and Population Health, to discuss the management of health issues in growing populations.
Connected Health is getting its own event.

Building on the success of the mHealth Summit, HIMSS is launching a new conference devoted to the issues involved in delivering healthcare in a connected world.

"Providers, policymakers, payers and patients are increasingly relying on the collection, sharing and integration of personal health data to increase efficiencies, empower individuals to better manage their health and wellness, reduce costs and improve outcomes," said H. Stephen Lieber, HIMSS president and CEO. "HIMSS created the Connected Health Conference for members of the healthcare sector who are eager for valuable education, dialogue and networking to support the integration of connected health in clinical practice and patient care."

The conference will be split into three distinct summits, each addressing hot-button topics central to today's changing healthcare landscape – the mHealth Summit, the Cyber Security Summit and the Population Health Summit.

"Healthcare is entering an era of the consumer and with that comes new challenges and opportunities," Lieber said, "More than ever before consumers are taking greater control of their health and health care. To support that trend, providers need to provide a different level of connectivity between the clinician and the consumer. Mobile health, population health and information security are critical components in achieving this new level of electronic connection."

The three summits are:

The mHealth Summit, described as "the premier conference and expo for exploring what is new in mobile, telehealth and connected health - from the impact on healthcare delivery, clinical care and patient and consumer engagement to new technologies, research, investment activities, policy and shifts in the business environment." It includes the Global mHealth Forum, launched in 2014 in partnership with the mHealth Working Group and USAID, which brings together mHealth experts from more than 50 countries to discuss mobile and connected health issues facing, in particular, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

The Cyber Security Summit, designed to "convene thought leaders from around the country to explore the current landscape of health sector cyberthreats and risk management approaches across identification, protection, detection, response and recovery." Scheduled session will focus on, among other issues, the financial and clinical impacts of a cyberattack, its impact on business continuity, and its effects on consumer and patient trust. "Attendees will learn how to equip themselves with the many types of tools and resources available to identify cyberthreats and manage their risk, and how to use threat intelligence and data analytics to keep ahead of the cyber security game," HIMSS officials said.

The Population Health Summit, which will "provide real-world examples and case studies of population health management actions currently in place within healthcare organizations." Among the topics to be discussed are how to provide patient-centered quality care across populations, price and quality transparency, and success factors that make up and effective population health management program.

The conference will take place Nov. 8-11 at the Gaylord Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.