Pfizer, Microsoft and IBM collaborate to deliver software solutions to physician practices
Pfizer predicts the focus of the new company, which has not yet been named, will be to reduce the administrative workload of physicians therefore allowing them to devote more time to providing patient care. More specifically, the company will address the needs of office-based physicians, particularly those in smaller groups, which represent 70% of the office-based doctors in the United States.
According to the 2000 leadership survey conducted by the Health Information Management Systems Society, over 70% of physicians stated that improving operating efficiencies was their primary concern.
"There is no more important relationship in medicine than between doctor and patient, but that relationship has been seriously strained by growing administrative burdens," said Nelson Walker, a member of Mansfield Family Practice, a small group practice in Mansfield, Connecticut. "Small medical practices like mine need to streamline office management so we can spend more time with patients."
According to the partnering companies, through the use of Microsoft's .NET Enterprise Server Platform, Windows 2000 and wireless devices, product offerings will emphasize integrated clinical, financial, and administrative tools to enable physicians to streamline their workflow. In addition, physicians and other care providers will gain access to complete medical histories, insurance information, lab results, billing arrangements and more, while treating their patients. Providers also will be able to document patient findings through the use of encoding security systems to ensure information is securely transmitted and patient confidentiality assured.
"Innovation and strategic partnerships have been key to Pfizer's growth," said Karen Katen, Executive Vice President and President of Worldwide Pharmaceuticals at Pfizer. "This initiative represents our customer focus in action: a cost-effective, customized solution that responds directly to one of the most pressing issues facing physicians today. We are particularly pleased to be working with Microsoft and IBM, two technology leaders who share our enthusiasm for what we can accomplish together."
"Microsoft's involvement in this new venture demonstrates our deep commitment to providing IT solutions to the physician community," said Ralph Young, Vice President, Enterprise Solutions Group at Microsoft. "Physicians need integrated IT solutions that afford them reliability and mobility so that they can focus on what they do best - providing care to their patients."
The new company is expected to make its first products available to the general market later this year, with plans to pursue acquisitions, partnerships and other investments to provide a product and service offering, supported by its marketing, sales and customer service structure.
"We at IBM share Pfizer's focus on customers and emphasis on developing solutions that directly address customer needs," said Russell Ricci, General Manager of IBM Global Healthcare. "We are committed to providing services to the new company to help integrate and deploy technologies, as well as Web-hosting operations and help desk services through our call centers."