Technology and the MSP: Tips on Staying Updated

With all the changes going on in healthcare, it is more important than ever to keep up-to-date on what is going on in our industry. As I mention in my March/April 2012 Synergy article, “Preparing NAMSS for the Next Generation of MSPs Through the Use of Technology,” we are so fortunate to have such wonderful technologies at our fingertips that keep us informed.

For instance, NAMSS offers this blog as one electronic way to stay abreast of news and happenings. Do you ever wonder how I find interesting stories to post on the NAMSS blog? I take advantage of several electronic tools that are readily available online. One of my favorites is "Google Reader," which is an online tool I use to gather, read, and share the blogs and websites that I frequently visit. It saves me time because I don't need to visit each website for the latest news.

Instead, the latest news from each website feeds into my personalized Google Reader. All I do is log into my Reader and view the stories at a glance. You can use Google Reader on any website that has an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed feature. RSS feeds are a way for websites to distribute new content as it becomes available. When you subscribe to a feed in Google Reader, the latest posts or stories will appear in your Reader. You can share your Reader or individual stories you find on it with friends or colleagues with a few simple clicks.

As NAMSS continues to roll out its technology initiative, it will introduce more electronic ways to stay current on the latest happenings in healthcare and the medical staff services industry. Watch for more on these great tools coming soon!