For more than a decade, Direct Secure Messaging has played a vital role in secure, standards-based communication across the healthcare ecosystem. Today, over 200,000 organizations rely on Direct. As adoption continues to grow, DirectTrust frequently hears from implementers with questions on workflow design, optimization, and strategies for more effective use of Direct.

While DirectTrust is always glad to provide guidance and connect organizations with their vendor partners where appropriate, some requests extend beyond what our staff is equipped to support. However, we’re very interested in expanding the use and usability of Direct, so we want to connect the inquiries we receive with a solution-oriented answer. After discussing this predicament with our Board of Directors, an idea emerged: Adoption Consultants.

What’s an Adoption Consultant?

Put simply, an Adoption Consultant would be a vetted, trusted third-party resource that healthcare organizations could turn to when they need support that goes beyond DirectTrust’s scope or capacity. 

These consultants could help implementers:

  • Refine and redesign workflows
  • Optimize Direct Secure Messaging for maximum value
  • Address challenges with adoption or usability
  • Provide tailored guidance on integration and operational best practices

By building a network of Adoption Consultants, DirectTrust can ensure that implementers always have access to the expertise they need.

Why a Task Force?

Rather than moving immediately to a certification or formalized program, DirectTrust is launching an Adoption Consultant Task Force. A task force provides a timebound, mission-specific forum for DirectTrust members to collaborate on designing the framework for this new resource.

This approach ensures that diverse perspectives are considered and that the resulting framework reflects the real-world needs of those using and supporting Direct Secure Messaging.

The idea of Adoption Consultants was reinforced at our recent DirectTrust Annual Conference, where participants highlighted the need for trusted experts to help organizations unlock the full value of Direct Secure Messaging. The Task Force represents a community-driven solution to this recurring theme.

Goals of the Task Force

The Adoption Consultant Task Force will focus on creating a clear framework, including:

  • Defining boundaries of support – Clarifying where DirectTrust’s role ends and where consultants step in
  • Outlining required competencies – Identifying the individual skills and expertise needed to provide meaningful support
  • Establishing vetting criteria – Setting standards for validating and listing qualified organizations
  • Exploring new pathways – Considering whether additional avenues for involvement in DirectTrust are needed, especially for healthcare delivery organizations
  • Shaping long-term support – Envisioning what the future of adoption support should look like

Members who join the Task Force will have the opportunity to directly influence and shape this new program, ensuring that it provides meaningful, effective support to the community.

We expect that outcomes of this Task Force will include: 

  • Requirements for Adoption Consultants, including a possible curriculum.
  • A process for vetting Adoption Consultants.  
  • A public list of vetted Adoption Consultants, similar to how DirectTrust lists Accredited HISPs today.

How to Get Involved

The Adoption Consultant Task Force plans to meet on the last Tuesday of each month at 12 PM ET / 9 AM PT.

To learn more about our new Adoption Consultant Task Force, watch the Information Session here and see the slides here. If you are interested in participating, sign up via this form. 

Have additional questions? Feel free to reach out to us at Admin@DirectTrust.org.

Looking Ahead

DirectTrust is committed to ensuring that the organizations using Direct Secure Messaging have the support they need, not only from us, but from a trusted community of experts. The Adoption Consultant Task Force and initiative is the next step in building that ecosystem of support.

Together, we can make Direct adoption and optimization easier, more effective, and more impactful for healthcare organizations everywhere.