We do strategic planning and market research in healthcare and the life sciences. Critical Mass focuses on the use of information technology, telecommunications and the Internet by physicians, consumers, patients, employers, innovative IT vendors and medical device and pharmaceutical firms.  We strive to meet high standards for objectivity, good judgment, and clear expression. Which eHealth approaches make sense? How do products compare? Which healthcare IT vendors are succeeding? When and how will a new development affect your business? For more,  see Specific Questions We Address.

In the US and Europe, we do strategic studies for Global 1000 firms engaged in the manufacture and sale of consumer products, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals. We consult with patient organizations, providers, health plans and employers, and write research papers for foundations. We perform market research for vendors and investors. See What We Do in Healthcare IT. 

Mike Barrett, Critical Mass’ founder, has been a health IT industry analyst (Forrester Research), CEO and General Counsel for a provider network (Visiting Nurse Associations of New England), practicing attorney (Palmer & Dodge) and elected official (four terms in the Mass. State Senate, where he served as Senate chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Healthcare). He assembles blue-chip project teams to complete healthcare IT consulting engagements of any size. See About Managing Partner Mike Barrrett.  Connect to Mike’s LinkedIn profile.  Connect to Mike's Facebook page.

Critical Mass emphasizes clear writing, plain speaking, and rigorous analysis.  Mike does a lot of writing on strategic and market developments for clients. During his years in the Legislature he published articles and commentary on public policy and politics in the Atlantic Monthly, Boston Globe, Christian Science Monitor and New York Newsday.  Today he’s a popular speaker on trends in the always-changing healthcare IT marketplace.  For five straight years, from 2007 through 2011, Mike’s moderated panels at Partners HealthCare’s annual Connected Health Symposium in Boston and has delivered keynote addresses at the industry’s annual Healthcare Unbound conferences on the West Coast. Audiences also rated Mike the #1 presenting analyst at consecutive Forrester Research Healthcare Summits.