The internet empowers people to seek health information and play a larger role in their diagnosis and treatment. A survey done by harrisinteractive.com found that eighty six percent of internet users said they were scanning the web for healthcare and disease-specific information. This is greatly higher than in 1999, which was seventy one percent (Binshan Lin 28). The results show that patients are becoming more knowledgeable about their health and seek to become partners in their care. The internet is revolutionizing healthcare as we know it. Consumers can now access health information, medical records and even speak to a physician online. Information previously reserved for healthcare professionals is now accessible to consumers. They are more satisfied with the internet than traditional media too. Forty nine percent are very satisfied with online health information versus twenty five percent with magazines/newspapers and thirteen percent for television (Bard 47). The patient empowerment movement created by the internet underscores disorder specific websites and chat rooms. A century ago is was hard for patients with unusual conditions to find other people with similar problems. Now the internet makes it much easier. Patients can type their disorder into a search engine and quickly access many sites on their specific condition. They can also access chat rooms, receive electronic mail, and join a community where they can share opinions, discuss certain treatments and talk about their personal experiences (Oro). It provides emotional support and practical advice (Challenges). Some patients are even obtaining information to check the qualifications of their health care providers. Additionally, the internet provides convenience... ... middle of paper ... ...A Vehicle of Change." American Business Review. Jun. 2000: 27-33. "Challenges and Opportunities." Networking for Betting Care: Healthcare in the Information Age, The Benton Foundation. May 1999. Mar. 2004 . Goldstein, Douglas, E. "EHealthcare Predictions, Trends and Tactics for the Next 10 Years." 2002. Aspen Publishers. Mar 2004 . Lando, Laura. "Living With Change --- The Decision Is Yours: Doctors are starting to embrace information technology -- and it's changing their relationship with patients." Wall Street Journal. Oct. 1999: R.13. Oro, John, ed. "EHealthcare News." University of Missouri Healthcare. Apr. 2000 . "Patient Empowerment Improves Treatment." Cable News Network, AnnieApplesSeedProject. Sep. 2000. Mar. 2004 < http://www.annieappleseedproject.org/patemimtreat.html>. Solovitch, Sara. "The Citizen Scientists." Wired Magazine. Sep. 2001.
Versel, N. (2013, November). Taking a close look at electronic health records. Retrieved from http://health.usnews.com/health-news/hospital-of-tomorrow/articles/2013/11/05/taking-a-close-look-at-electronic-health-records
Burke, L. and Weill, B. (2005). The 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary'. Information Technology for the Health Professions.
information using the internet. Today patients are encouraged to be active in their care. Patient
Did you ever think about how much time is spent on computers and the internet? It is estimated that the average adult will spend over five hours per day online or with digital media according to Emarketer.com. This is a significant amount; taking into consideration the internet has not always been this easily accessible. The world that we live in is slowly or quickly however you look at it: becoming technology based and it is shifting the way we live. With each day more and more people use social media, shop online, run businesses, take online classes, play games, the list is endless. The internet serves billions of people daily and it doesn’t stop there. Without technology and the internet, there would be no electronic health record. Therefore, is it important for hospitals and other institutions to adopt the electronic health record (EHR) system? Whichever happens, there are many debates about EHR’s and their purpose, and this paper is going to explain both the benefits and disadvantages of the EHR. Global users of the internet can then decide whether the EHR is beneficial or detrimental to our ever changing healthcare system and technology based living.
This site was chosen for its popularity and the wealth and breadth of information that are available to anyone with internet access. Tens of millions of people access this website monthly to gain insight and information into their health concerns. WebMD is a resource intended for a wide scope of readers: physicians, nurses, and consumers. The vast majority of users that access WebMD are Caucasian females between the ages of 18-50+ who are college graduates. Literature found on WebMD are: health information, symptom checklist, suggestions for treatment, information on medication, different links to additional information, and a place to store you information for future reference if one desires. All internet users must approach searching for health information through a systematic analytical review process. The evaluation process for a health information Web site should use the same basic principles for evaluation of general Web sites, but since health information can involve ...
Unfortunately, the quality of health care in America is flawed. Information technology (IT) offers the potential to address the industry’s most pressing dilemmas: care fragmentation, medical errors, and rising costs. The leading example of this is the electronic health record (EHR). An EHR, as explained by HealthIT.gov (n.d.), is a digital version of a patient’s paper chart. It includes, but is not limited to, medical history, diagnoses, medications, and treatment plans. The EHR, then, serves as a resource that aids clinicians in decision-making by providing comprehensive patient information.
In 2009 President Obama, through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, pledged to provide incentives to the nation’s physicians and hospitals to convert to an electronic healthcare system in attempt to improve the quality of care and reduce cost (Freudenheim, 2010). By converting to an electronic system, we have the opportunity for improved communication between all healthcare providers and decreased cost to our healthcare system. The goal is to improve communication across all aspects of the service chain (Horan, Botts & Burkhard, 2010). Almost two years later, the conversion progress continues to be slow. Only one in four physician’s offices, mostly large groups, have implemented the electronic record system (Freudenheim, 2010).
Advances in technology have influences our society at home, work and in our health care. It all started with online banking, atm cards, and availability of children’s grades online, and buying tickets for social outings. There was nothing electronic about going the doctor’s office. Health care cost has been rising and medical errors resulting in loss of life cried for change. As technologies advanced, the process to reduce medical errors and protect important health care information was evolving. In January 2004, President Bush announced in the State of the Union address the plan to launch an electronic health record (EHR) within the next ten years (American Healthtech, 2012).
Electronic Health Records (EHRs) have drastically changed health care. From quality to efficiency, EHRs have transformed Health Care from an inaccurate, inefficient, and problematic system to a system that is much more reliable. Electronic Health Records do have their drawbacks; however, they are much more reliable than a paper system. Through the Affordable Care Act the government is now requiring EHRs to be implemented to receive benefits. Not only that, but the clinic will receive benefits per physician for implementing earlier than other clinics. Meaningful Use may be coming to an end, but many clinics have already implemented a system, which will carry on the policy for years to come. Two main jobs have been created from this: Health Informaticians
Health Centre’s and hospitals have to ensure that they are connected with ICTs. The access to internet for all public and private hospitals need to improve. Considering that ICTs applications in health area include use of electronic health records, telemedicine, networked medical equipment and internet as a source of information about health. 5. Ensure that all the world’s population has access to television and radio Television and radio are important source of information, they are also important source of entertainment and relaxation.
Blobel, Bernd, R Engelbrecht, and Michael A. Shifrin. Large Scale Projects in Ehealth: Partnership in Modernization ; Proceedings of the Efmi Special Topic Conference, 18-20 April 2012, Moscow, Russia. Amsterdam: IOS Press, 2012. Internet resource.
The present environments for healthcare organizations contain many forces demanding unprecedented levels of change. These forces include changing demographics, increased customer outlook, increased competition, and strengthen governmental pressure. Meeting these challenges will require healthcare organizations to go through fundamental changes and to continuously inquire about new behavior to produce future value. Healthcare is an information-intensive process. Pressures for management in information technology are increasing as healthcare organizations feature to lower costs, improve quality, and increase access to care. Healthcare organizations have developed better and more complex. Information technology must keep up with the dual effects of organizational complication and continuous progress in medical technology. The literature review will discuss how health care organizations can provide effective care by the intellectual use of information.
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is reshaping the health care system in the United States at an accelerating rate. In earlier times US Healthcare system was more focused on intervention of diseases, but now it is moving more towards preventive approach and I see Health IT as the most important tool that can lead this change. I strongly believe that my professional goals, range and depth of my experience and knowledge is an asset and my enthusiasm for the field makes me an ideal candidate for the Master of Professional Studies in Technology Management (Health Information Technology) program at Georgetown University.
The use of the Internet has exploded in the past few decades, and the age of the user is swiftly declining as well (Greenfield, Patricia, and Zheng Yan). “The spread of Internet access has been described as nine times faster than that of radio, four times faster than the personal computer, and three times faster than television” (Shields, Margie, and Behrman 5). The Internet has woven itself into people’s daily lives and has really changed culture in numerous ways. It has helped make education more accessible, especially to those in developing countries. Specifically, it has brought life-saving health practices and information to those who otherwise would have gone without it.
Topol, Eric. "How Technology Is Transforming Health Care." US News. U.S.News & World Report, 12 July 2013. Web. 15 Feb. 2014.