Announcing Microsoft "House Calls for Healthcare Professionals" audiocast series

I'm pleased to inform my Health Blog readers about a new program that we are launching here at Microsoft Healthcare and Life Sciences. It's a new audiocast supplement to my "House Calls for Healthcare Professionals" articles on www.microsoft.com/healthcare .

Our first program will cover a topic near and dear to my heart; physician-patient messaging and e-mail. Here's a little tease:

Today’s’ wired consumers are demanding, and expecting, more from service industries across the board, and they are getting it.They book travel on-line.They’re banking on-line.They’re buying on-line.And healthcare is no exception.More and more healthcare providers are being asked to communicate with their patients on-line. What are the trends and opportunities for analog docs in an increasingly digital world?Can doctors actually get paid for doing e-mail? What are the risks and benefits for your practice?

Guests on my first "House Calls" program will include:

Dr. Lance Larson, a practicing internist with Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, WA.

Dr. Giovanni Colella, a physician and CEO of RelayHealth Corporation in Emeryville, CA.

Dr. Matt Handley, practicing family physician and healthcare executive with Group Health Cooperative in Seattle, WA

Dr. Roki Chauhan, Vice President for Medical Service and Medical Director of Quality at Premera Blue Cross, Mountlake Terrace, WA.

I hope you'll join me for what promises to be a lively and very informative discussion. Be watching Health Blog and www.microsoft.com/healthcare for more information on how to access these audio programs in the weeks ahead. The first program will be available for download or streaming the week of February 19th.

Bill Crounse, MD Healthcare Industry Director Microsoft Healthcare and Life Sciences