1. Go to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) website (http://www.ahrq.gov/) and identify at least two reports related to AHRQ's funding of regional health information networks. Report on the progress of the two AHRQ-funded networks and check whether funded networks have their own websites. Also, check if there are any regional health information activities in your area.

2. Explain how each of the following groups uses healthcare data: providers, payers, employers, government agencies, and patients.

3. List two benefits of using health information technology applications.

4. List three privacy and security issues that must be addressed by a regional health information organization.

5. List three reasons why adoption of electronic health information systems by office-based providers is proceeding with caution.

6. List three reasons why office-based providers of health care are likely to adopt electronic health record systems.

7. What kind of influence do you think is asserted over the format and content of health records by governmental organizations, accreditation and standards organizations, insurance companies, and/or research organizations?