Questions & Answers

I guess the question might be posed - what are folks looking for in the discussion sections of the website?   The  Message Board could be structured to include a vendor-specific discussion area.  I use eClinicalWorks which happens to have two highly utilized websites, one being the user forum, another is an ideas site that facilitates development concepts.  Other EMR's may have similar user-accessible sites for discussions on best practices, tricks, tips, problems, development concepts, etc - or maybe not.  If not, then the REC site could be a central area where EMR users (and those shopping) can continue to discuss general concepts, but also offer a section where vendor-specific issues could be discussed.  Each vendor folder would need to have sections so different aspects could be discussed - if everything is in one main folder it would be too cumbersome for users and not succeed.  Vendors would need to be members of the REC Market Place to have a discussion area/folder.  Vendors would have one representative that answers questions with ground rules - vendors would not have free reign - their posts would only be in response to questions, and the answers would be expected to be simple and direct (no wandering to other topics as a sales pitch).  The site could grow significantly in terms of participants (which would help everyone involved as we share ideas amongst ourselves).  Growth can be achieved by vendors advertising the site to their users and making it a functional forum to facilitate their product's users achieving meaningful use.  It would be important to avoid having general discussions buried within the vendor-specific area since those with other products wouldn't be looking there.  The concept could be developed if this concept fits with the vision RIQI has for the site.