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University of Minnesota MHA Program Completes Sophrona eVisit Study
Wednesday, June 20, 2007 2:00 PM ET
June 20, 2007 - Minneapolis, MN -- In a collaborative effort between Sophrona Solutions and the University of Minnesota Masters in Healthcare Administration program, Five Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) candidates from the University of Minnesota recently completed a comprehensive study examining the market for eVisits and Sophrona’s new eVisit product. The study is part of Sophrona’s ongoing commitment to develop innovative healthcare solutions, specifically in the areas of patient communications and practice efficiency. The analysis was prepared by MHA candidates Kate Klugherz, Allison Prusak, Ankur Sharma, Kaajal Singh, and Nicholas Smith. The students were guided by University of Minnesota professor, Mark Enger, MHA, and Paul Seel, MD, Medical Director at Sophrona Solutions. Simply put, eVisits allow patients to communicate with their doctors online from the convenience of their home or office computer. eVisits provide patients with extraordinary  access to medical services and are a logical complement to Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) which are becoming more commonplace in healthcare organizations. Results of the students’ analysis indicate a growing trend for innovative health information technology (IT) in the U.S. and around the world. In particular, eHealth is a rapidly emerging field that promises to provide greater efficiency, cost containment, increased access, and improved knowledge for providers and patients. Government and private influences alike are supporting eHealth initiatives. Thirty-six bills were passed in 24 states in the past two years, calling for the use of health IT to improve health and healthcare, and 10 state governors have passed executive orders related to these issues. As consumers take more control over the care they receive and pressure builds for a more efficient healthcare system, providers will continue to turn to electronic technology.  At the same time, it is clear that patients are demanding more opportunities to access more robust healthcare technology using the internet. Sophrona Solutions eVisit platform was found to be well positioned to take advantage of this opportunity. In addition, the study’s market research identified several opportunities to further enhance the product’s efficacy.  Many of these have been embraced by Sophrona management; including the project team’s recommendation that Sophrona further invest in interoperability between Sage Portal and other healthcare applications such as EMR systems.  This has all led to the launch of Sage Bridge, Sophrona’s six-line highway carrying data between the Sage Portal and external systems.  For more information about the findings from the MHA report or Sophrona’s eVisit solution, contact Dr Paul Seel at 800.608.6017 ext. 102