Emerging technology always has, both, positive and negative implications on society. In relation to the health field, we are seeing an alarming number of healthcare related websites surface on the Internet. These websites, such as WebMD and Mayo Clinic, provide information including symptoms and disease overviews. After reviewing Chapter 4, “How Medical Interaction Shapes and Reflects the Physician-Patient Relationship,” in our textbook The Rutledge Handbook of Health Communication, I realized that the section on new challenges was extremely applicable to the communication and interactions between physicians and patients. Technology and the Internet are largely impacting the patient-physician relationship through communication/interactions …show more content…
When a medical condition is extremely rare, there is the potential for the Internet to aid the patient in becoming more knowledgeable about their condition—potentially even more knowledgeable than their physician. With help from technology/the Internet, patients are becoming more well-informed about their health and are advocating for themselves by expressing their realistic concerns with their physicians. Knowledge is power and seeking knowledge about your own healthcare enables you to ask the deeper and more important questions of your physician. In summary, access to healthcare related information through advanced technologies such as the Internet enables the patient to feel as if they are on the same level of understanding as their physician, which therefore helps to eradicate feelings of inadequacy on the patient’s behalf. In turn, patients are able to share the knowledge the gathered and physicians can eliminate misconceptions/misunderstanding, while allowing for open communication between the patient and the provider. The Internet can have a positive impact on how people live their everyday lives, such as how much they exercise or the type of foods they eat. Another positive impact the Internet has on patient-physician communication is through the use of online based support groups where physicians and patients can interact and communicate
The internet is no longer just a source for research, as Cascio has said “ the digital systems we rely upon become faster, more sophisticated, and capable too” (Cascio). What he means by this is that we can rely more on technology to help us because it’s developing to become efficient to our daily needs. For example, there are tasks we can now complete on the internet that used to require plenty of time. Things like going to pay rent, purchasing groceries, or going to the bank are all things that can now be done online due to the faster, more capable power of the internet. Once time consuming or complex tasks are now simple to complete with just a few clicks. This is a beneficial concept to those who have busy schedules, have difficulties with transportation, disabilities that don’t allow them to maneuver much, or anyone who just doesn't have the time, patients, or ability to stand in long, never-ending waiting lines. According to the previously mentioned study done by Nanjing University of Science and Technology with the University of South Australia “elderly people are increasingly using mobile devices to conduct online banking, find jobs, access medical help, and obtain entertainment information” (Ma). This research goes to at the least provide an example of one group of people who have benefited from using the internet to make their life
information using the internet. Today patients are encouraged to be active in their care. Patient
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 ...
“Telemedicine is the use of medical information exchanged from one site to another via electronic communications to improve patients’ health status” (Wager, Lee, & Glaser, 2013, p. 156.)
Technology is a driving force in our society. People can now manage their bank accounts, pay bills, and get their news with the click of the mouse. It only makes sense that the health care industry would join in on these web-based initiatives. More and more providers are using online patient portals as a means for communicating with patients and allowing them to have access to important health information. While patient portals are still in their emerging stages, positive results are being reported from patients and healthcare professionals alike. Online patient portals allow more effective communications between patients and their healthcare professionals by developing stronger, more utilized relationships and by creating a way to get information out to patients more efficiently. Through this enhanced communication there will be patients that are more actively engaged in their treatment, have stronger relationships with their healthcare professionals, and in many cases have improved medical conditions.
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).
Mackey (2013) found that in 2013, over 2.3 billion people had access to the internet, approximately 39% of the world’s population. As this access has only continued to improve, using the internet to obtain medication has only become more common. In 2013, 72% of Americans used the internet to find medical information, either for diagnostic reasons or in search of prescriptions. This statistic is not limited to the United States alone, 12 other countries have shown similar levels of internet use for medical purposes (Mackey, 2013). The danger of self-diagnosis, along with self-treatment, is the individual’s lack of knowledge of both recognized medical disorders and treatment options.
One study showed that this was not a major concern or populations that may not have access to technology (Lim, Kang, Shin, Lee, Yoon, Yu, Kim, Yoo, Jung, Park, Ryu & Jang 2011). Furthermore, this level does not need to be web-based. The use of care coaches and healthcare navigators can full the technology void. At this level, patients also view their electronic medical records. This will help for patients to be able to spot errors, be more informed, and inspire them to do more for themselves in terms of self-care and
Mediklik: Changing People Views On Healthcare Browsing The Internet's powerful impacts on "health seekers": Fifty-two million American grown-ups, or 55% of those with Internet access, have utilized the Web to get health or medical data. We call them "health seekers" and a majority part of them go online at any rate once every month for health data. We utilize the term "e-patient" to describe this group. For illness, including mental sickness, more than for wellness:
The internet is a very functional form of electronic communication. Let’s think external delivery. Using the internet as a source of delivery for communicating patient information this is considered external delivery that transmits instantaneously between all healthcare businesses. The internet gives us the tools to do a lot, expand technology in the healthcare field that will allow the physicians and their patients to...
Johnson, Michael. (1999). “Is technology changing the doctor/patient relationship?”. Health Today, 11, 8 – 11.
The internet has a positive impact much like cell phones. By this I am mainly talking about email and instant messenger. Email has had a huge impact on family life because it allows families to write each other that might not be able to talk to each other very often. Most email are free this is ...
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been shown to be increasingly important in the education or training and professional practice of healthcare. This paper discusses the impacts of using ICT in Healthcare and its administration. Health Information technology has availed better access to information, improved communication amongst physicians, clinicians, pharmacists and other healthcare workers facilitating continuing professional development for healthcare professionals, patients and the community as a whole. This paper takes a look at the roles, benefits of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in healthcare services and goes on to outline the ICT proceeds/equipment used in the health sector such as the
Johnson, William D. "Internet and Modern Society." Dept. of Medicine. 24 Jan. 2006. University of Wyoming. 2 June 2008 .
The internet has revolutionized all forms of communication since the beginning of its existence. The world has now become smaller' or more like a global village', so to speak. The internet was first used by the U.S military for communications purposes. The internet, from the communication point of view, has brought on new developments and techniques to keep in touch not only for individuals, but for businesses as well. An example of how the internet has impacted communication would be an example of doctors now communicating through live video feeds via the internet with patients or other doctors to diagnose patients or to even guide and advise surgeons through complicated procedures.