RTI International, HHS Launch Video Challenge to Engage Consumers in Health IT

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — RTI International, funded by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, is leading a series of video contests in 2012 to encourage consumers to integrate technology into their health care.

People are invited to create a short but impactful video capturing their New Year's resolution to improve their own health or the health of a loved one. Resolutions must involve the use of information technology, which could include anything from asking a doctor for a copy of personal health information, to making sure the information is accurate and complete, or from using a wireless pedometer to track activity, to joining an online community to learn about the best way to help a friend or loved one as they manage a new diagnosis.

The project team is accepting submissions for this challenge until February 16, 2012. A panel of judges will then select the top winners in each category and public voting will determine a people's choice favorite. Winning entries will be posted on YouTube.

Award winners will receive a portion of $5,000 in prize money and have their video featured on ONC's consumer-facing website, www.HealthIT.gov, as a way to motivate and inspire everyone to use health information technology to be more engaged partners in improving health and health care.

Starting in January through the summer of 2012, there will be a variety of different contest themes. The first few include using health IT to maintain a healthy heart, supporting the role of caregivers, and managing health care dollars and time more wisely.

RTI researchers are leading the development of a range of contest topics and providing the infrastructure and methods for a technical expert and judging panel for each challenge.