2013-11-12 User Group Task Force Conf Call

Agenda

• Refine proposed draft definition of and HL7 User Group.
• Narrow pilot User Group selection down to two choices

Attendees

• John Hatem (chair), Nathan Bunker, Mark McDougal(scribe), Karen Van Hentenryck

Minutes/Conclusions Reached

• Participants worked on refining a draft definition of an HL7 User Group that John provided. After much discussion and input from others, the updated version is provided below.
  • A group of HL7 users (including both HL7 members and non members) with common interests in implementing, rather than creating, one or more HL7 standards. User groups will set their agendas based on common interests that may include learning about or defining best practices to simplify and reduce the cost of implementation, exploration and identification of gaps in current standards that prohibit effective implementation, sharing lessons learned, hosting connectathons, learning about available HL7 enabled products, etc.

• Nathan suggested that the user communities should determine what they will work on in the UG. He added that the UG will not develop new standards, though they may suggest areas.

• John indicated that there ought to be a an effort to determine measurable success factors.

• John added that one possible community of users for a users group may be from the immunization space.

• John noted that the pilot community needs someone to take ownership and lead the group.

• Mark noted that the success of the pilot user group will likely have significant influence on the Board’s consideration to expand the scope of user groups. Therefore, he suggested that we choose a community that we view is hot and one that is likely to engage enough participants and leaders to ensure success.

• John indicated that “hot” community should not be the only factor in choosing the pilot community.

• Nathan added that the pilot community should be a relevant focus that may also be a new area. He added that we should identify a short list of user group communities for consideration.

• John offered a few possible communities to consider:
  • Immunization
  • US realm C-CDA
  • FHIR

• Nathan asked if we anticipate creating an HL7 UG in the Boston area. John responded that a decision has not yet been made on whether the UGs would be virtual and/or regional.

• Summary thoughts on key components of an HL7 User Group:
  • Virtual support to include listservs and online presence at HL7 website
  • Formalize pilot user group meeting(s) at WGMs starting in May 2014
    • Limited to one day meeting, perhaps on Thursday or Friday of WGM week (Nathan suggests convening the UG meeting on Friday)
    • If UG was hosted at the same location as a WGM, the UG attendees would not be eligible to attend WGM tutorials or WG meetings
  • User group dues pricing
    • HL7 members pay no fee to join the HL7 UG
    • Nonmembers of HL7 pay $100 to join the HL7 UG
    • User group meeting registration fees (for face to face annual meeting)
  • Discussed a full day registration meeting fee of $200 for UG members and $300 for UG nonmembers which provides them with a one year UG membership
  • We will also need to discuss governance of such HL7 UGs.