Consumer health informatics (CHI) is an up and coming field that utilizes technology and the internet, to provide health information to the public, and enhance healthcare making decisions (Flaherty, Hoffman-Goetz, & Arocha, 2015). The public is becoming more involved in their own care by having access to healthcare information 24/7 (Hebda & Czar, 2005). Furthermore, they are relying on the fact that the information they are given is accurate and up to date. Therefore, it is extremely important that the consumers are able to evaluate and analyze credible websites. Below is an evaluation tool that will help my patients make informed decisions. Evaluating a Website Tool • Does the website end in .gov, .com, or .org? • Are there credible references cited and sources given? • Is the grammar and spelling of the website accurate? • Is the webpage associated with medical schools or medical centers? • Is the website regularly updated? (Thompson, 2012). • Does the website provide who compiled the information? (Thompson, 2012). • Does the website ask for credit card information? • Is the website trying to sell a product? (Thompson, 2012). • Does the website provide an address or other contact information? (Thompson, 2012). According to Thompson (2012), there are three main goals when delivering a health information service: • Improve knowledge and understanding of health concerns • Increase confidence in managing symptoms and adhering to treatment • Prevent illness and avoid the risks associated with health concerns At my facility I work with a patient population of twenty to thirty year old clients. They are often dealing with mental health issues and chronic diseases. I have researched three different websites to evaluate, tha... ... middle of paper ... ...anxiety, depression, suicide, stress, and abuse. For example, when exploring the anxiety information page, they offer insight on how to cope, quizzes to help identify anxiety, and treatment options. The website also provides feedback from other users, resources, and has a voluntary donation page, which helps fund the website. Just as important as it is for the health information website to be effective, the consumer must also be knowledgeable about how to retrieve this information. In order for consumers to be successful in effectively evaluating an information website, they must possess certain qualities. They must possess basic reading skills, be able to operate a computer, and be able to obtain and apply relevant information (Hebda & Czar, 2005). With improved consumer knowledge about healthcare, the public can enhance their overall health and lifestyle choices.
information using the internet. Today patients are encouraged to be active in their care. Patient
Health care information system (HCIS) is an arrangement of information (data), processes, people, and information technology that interact to collect, process, store, and provide as output the information needed to support the health care organization (Wager, Lee, Glaser, 2013, p. 105). Having ready access to timely, complete, accurate, legible, and relevant information is critical to health care organizations, providers, and the patients they serve (Wagerm Lee, & Glaser, 2013). In the health care industry, the quality of care is one of the most important objectives for most health care organizations. The growing developments in health information technology have a great impact on the delivery of health care and have changed the systems used to record and share information. It has the potential to improve the quality of care if it is appropriately used. Health care organizations routinely apply computers and other technologies to record and transfer health information such as diagnoses, prescriptions, and insurance information.
Encompassed within the boundaries of this research paper, I will outline the rationale of constructing and implementing a publicly accessible patient portal for a healthcare organization. I will examine the utility, purpose and the technology requirements. Furthermore I will identify key employee involvement and the project tasks to make it operational and conclude with the highly probable benefits that the organization can expect to profit from its use. Despite all of the challenges presented in this paper, the benefits of this project has the potential to provide the organization a substantial return on investment (ROI) as highlighted by Heath Bell when he articulated, “portals are expected to be a key conduit for engaging patients in their care and getting them important health care information as quickly as possible” (Bell. 2012)
Shekelle, Paul, and Sally Morton. “Costs and Benefits of Health Information Technology.” Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, Number 132. Southern California Evidence-based Practice Center, CA. April 2006. Web. 13 Nov. 2011.
WebMD is a health information service that provides regular health related advice and suggestions to its users. WebMD is collaborating with T...
Electronic health records (EHRs) Has improved the quality and safety of patient care and achieve real efficiencies in the healthcare delivery system throughout the years. EHRs are the tools through which physicians, nurses, and other staff enter, view, and share the information required to deliver high quality care. it is vital in clinical decision making for patients and physician; therefore, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides Healthcare industries with The Research-Based Web Design and Usability Guidelines. In the user-interface (UI) design community this is partially addressed through the establishment of interactive patterns and collection of building blocks that represent recurring solutions to common design problems.
The internet is connecting health care organizations, physicians, and patients through an array of elaborate networks. Regardless of the size and type of healthcare organization, stakeholders see the need to share patient information and to make the information readily available for clinical and non-clinical staff. Streamlining the sharing of patient information through electronic health care records increases the quality of care, thus allowing the physician to focus on diagnosing the patient. To facilitate the communication and sharing of health care information the industry is developing community health information networks (CHIN) incorporating a telecommunication and networking capabilities linking health care communities and stakeholders (Tan & Payton, 2010). As a result, health care networks are consolidating a fragmented system and standardizing the flow of medical information.
To evaluate the credibility of a website and support as a credible source for inclusion in a scholarly assignment, the student chose to evaluate www.CDC.gov. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a component of the Department of Health and Human Services that conducts critical science and provides important health information that protects the nation against dangerous health threats. This website was chosen by the student for a personal and professional interest in health information provided by the CDC. A Google search was performed to locate the website domain CDC.gov, resulting in web address http://www.cdc.gov/. The credibility of the website is evaluated using specific criteria and supported by empirical evidence. Using examples, the importance of evaluating internet-based information for a professional nurse is discussed.
Parse, R. R., Bournes, D. A., Barrett, E. A. M., Malinski, V. M., & Phillips, J. R. (1999). A better way: 10 things health professionals can do to move toward a more personal and meaningful system. On Call, 2 (8), 14-17.
If health information technology has been adopted widely, there would be more than $81 billion annually save in the United States only (Gee & Newman, 2013). Despite the vast improvement of health information technology in the current century when compared to the past, there still some challenges in adopting the technology. For example, patients and healthcare providers’ frustration with the current system, and a high cost of the information technology can be mentioned. However, healthcare organizations are thoroughly delivering care, access the patients’ health data, run their analysis for better health outcomes, and gain opportunities to better quality improvement through many electronic health delivery systems (Health information technology, n.d.; Wager, Lee, & Glaser,
Health literacy is a term not widely understood by the general population. It is defined as “the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information needed to make appropriate health decisions and services needed to prevent or treat illness,” (About health literacy, 2014). A person’s level of health literacy is based on their age, education level, socioeconomic standing, and cultural background. Patients with low health literacy have a more difficult time navigating the health care system. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this group of patients may find it harder to find medical services and health care providers, fill out health forms, provide their complete medical history with their providers, seek preventative care, understand the health risks associated with some behaviors, taking care of chronic health conditions, and understanding how to take prescribed medications (About health literacy, 2014). It is to a certain extent the patient’s responsibility to increase their own health literacy knowledge. But to what extent can they learn on their own? Those working in the health field have been trained to navigate the health system and understand the medical terms. They have the knowledge and capability to pass on that understanding to their patients. Health care professionals have a shared responsibility to help improve patients’ health literacy.
Health information technology (HIT) is improving the population of the United States of America’s health outcomes and heath care quality. Health information technology has many benefits, including efficiency, financial savings for patients and hospitals, increased safety for patients, and the potential to improve quality of patient care. According to the RAND research, health information technology can save up to $77 billion per year. As a matter of fact, accurate health information records indicate that health information technology is decreasing people’s death rates. After many follow ups it has reported that the use of electronic medical records has “reduce death by 34%”. They found that benefits of health information technology has been
Taylor, T. C. (2003, August 09). Health Information Managers. Retrieved September 25, 2010, from http://www.wisegeek.com
Now that we are living in an ever changing world, technology is viewed as the most resourceful tool in keeping up with the pace. Without the use of technology, communication would be limited to using mail for delivery and encyclopedias for research. Although technology has improved the way we communicate and find information for research, the information is not always valid. Unfortunately, for those of us who use the internet for shopping, research, or reading articles of personal interest the information is not treated the same as a your magazine or book. While such literature is reviewed by an editorial staff, internet literature or information can be published by anyone. In order to reap the full benefit of having the use of technology for any purpose, there are five basic criteria’s one must keep in mind as an evaluating tool for deciding whether or not the particular website is a reliable source for information.
It is pertinent to note that ICT gives room for technological convergence in that various communication channels or platforms are integrated in it. This has opened the way for health enlightenment in various forms such as podcasts, short videos, blogs and so on. The limitless coverage of the internet allows these enlightenment efforts to be accessed all over the world enhancing global health. The information system of any health center will not function effectively without Information and Communication Technology (ICT). In other words, ICT is the backbone of the current information system. Information can be transmitted within a couple of no time. The array of purveyor of information under ICT is extremely vast and this technology helps doctors, hospitals, the general public and all other medical care providers. It is pertinent to note that Pharmaceutical industry is the industry that enjoys the biggest benefits of ICT. All the medical data available helps in assessing the medical requirements, makes them aware of similar research being carried out in different parts of the world and in letting the world know about their developments Consequently, the advent of ICT has made