Despite changes in the healthcare field and multiple surveys finding an increase in physician burnout, almost all doctors say they’re satisfied with their choice to become physicians, according to a new survey from the American Medical Association (AMA). 

In a HIMSS2017 forum with two former administrators of CMS, the most recent head of the agency, Andy Slavitt, drew both applause and surprised looks from the audience over his pointed criticism of the health IT industry.

The 2017 HIMSS Leadership and Workforce Survey found a strong demand for health IT employees and continued growth in IT budgets for both vendors and providers. In some cases, however, providers and vendors aren’t sharing the same priorities.

IBM has announced several expansions and partnerships centered on its Watson cognitive computing system solutions. At the same time, however, the Watson-powered oncology product being developed at MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas has reportedly been placed on hold.

HIMSS 2017 in Orlando opened with IBM President and CEO Ginni Rometty proclaiming the advent of what she calls the “cognitive era” in healthcare, encouraging clinicians and IT to aggressively pursue and accept new technologies.

Utilizing a multi-faceted antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs can not only help a facility combat antibiotic-resistant infections, but it can also lead to cost savings even when it’s not a focal point of those efforts.