Feds' 'e-health' initiative reaches out to patients

Federal officials leading the multibillion effort to get doctors and hospitals to use health information technology are now reaching out to patients and families to help them become e-patients. Farzad Mostashari, national coordinator for health information technology at Department of Health and Human Services, and other top health IT officials outlined plans in the February's Health Affairs journal to expand access, promote innovation and ensure privacy while giving patients and families a bigger role in their care.