Introduction Health information technology (HIT), also known as eHealth or health informatics, is defined as the use of technology to efficiently store, exchange, and retain information in healthcare in order to improve healthcare delivery, decrease financial costs and burdens on the healthcare system, and improve patient outcomes (Shekelle et al., 2006). HIT from a consumer perspective is meant to meet the growing demand for an increase in patient autonomy and control over one’s own health (Eysenbach & Diepgen, 2001). Certain HITs have been developed and utilized to increase the efficiency of the storage and exchange of patient medical data and to facilitate effective communication and sharing of information between a patient and their provider …show more content…
Prominent examples, in order from most ‘face-to-face’ to entirely web-based, consist of: internet health information-seeking (i.e., “paging Dr. Google”), electronic health records (EHRs), electronic communication (e.g., emails and instant messaging), and web-based medical care (e.g., ‘virtual care’). The use of these HITs greatly impact the patient-provider relationship. In theory, the impact is positive, as their purpose is to facilitate more quality communication and encourage the patient’s more active role in their own care. However, the traditional, ‘authoritative’, physician-centered model of the patient-provider relationship frequently dominates over the twenty-first century ‘shift’ to patient-centered care and creates barriers on the clinician level to using HIT effectively (Eysenbach & Jadad, 2001). As a result, the intended application of HIT as a tool for increased patient autonomy is hindered and undermines the movement of patient-centered care that the development and promotion of HITs is meant to bolster. This paper will describe patient and provider perceptions of HITs, as well as demonstrate how both the use of HITs and the nature of the patient-provider relationship are reciprocal and factors relating to both influence the other both positively …show more content…
Patient involvement or engagement is complex and multifaceted, defined by a behavioural dimension (what the patient does to cope with the disease and treatments), a cognitive dimension (the patient’s knowledge and understanding about the disease and its treatments), and an emotional dimension (the patient’s psychological and emotional reactions to the disease and adjusting to it) (Barello et al., 2016). Snyder and Engström (2015)’s narrative review synthesized factors of patient involvement: factors exclusive to patients consist of shared decision-making (participating in the decision-making process of their own care), empowerment (being in control of their illness and their coping ability), and patient education (learning about their own disease). These factors improve treatment adherence, psychosocial outcomes such as decreased pain in chronic pain patients, and the practice of health behaviours. However, patient engagement is not an ‘on-off’ switch, as Graffigna & Barello (2016) demonstrate with their Patient Health Engagement (PHE) Model. They describe four phases that patients go through in the process of becoming engaged in their own healthcare: blackout (the patient experiences great distress in the onset of a newfound health
Health information technology (HIT) is revolutionizing the way we interact with health-related data. One example of this is the obvious rise in
Increased public demand to access health information and growth of consumerism in health care industry are two important reasons form increasing attention to Personal Health Records (PHRs) in the recent years. Surveys show that a considerable number of people want to have access to their health information. In one survey, 60 percent of respondents wanted physicians to provide online access to medical records and test results, and online appointment scheduling; 1 in 4 said they would pay more for the service.
In 2009, the U.S. Government passed The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, to promote the adoption and meaningful use of health information technology (Mangalmurti, Murtagh and Mello 2060). The HITECH Act authorizes grants and incentives to promote the “meaningful use” of electronic health records (EHR) by providers (2060). The effect is a high commitment to a technology-led system reform, urging a renewed national commitment to building an information infrastructure to support health care delivery, consumer health, quality measurement and improvement, public accountability, clinical and health services research, and clinical
The healthcare industry is in the midst of a major change from paper based medical record keeping to electronic medical record keeping. As part of the American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act was passed (Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, 2014). HITECH is the U.S. Government’s first major contribution to the change from paper to electronic health information technology by setting meaningful use incentive program for Medicare and Medicaid providers that met certain requirements. Healthcare professionals that meet the meaningful use criteria will be awarded financially, and those that don’t meet the 2015 guideline will be penalized. We live in an electronic world of instant access to information and by adopting health information technology we give providers better and easier access to more information which in turn allows them to make a more informed diagnosis and treatment plan for the patient. The electronic health record (EHR) is part of the new information technology. According to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (2014.), EHR’s provide many benefits such as improvement in the quality of patient care; improvement in the coordination of patient care; more accurate diagnosis and better outcomes; a higher level of patient participation in their own care; and cost savings for the practice
The American Recovery and Revitalization Act of 2009 brought meaningful use of patient records to help increase the improvement of patient care. With certified electronic health record technology, one goal is to improve quality, safety, efficiency, and to decrease health discrepancies. Some more goals are to get patient and family engaged in their care, continue to improve care coordination, and maintain privacy and security of patient health information. In order to achieve these goals, healthcare facilities must continue to stress the importance of patient engagement and to use the patient portal for healthcare information (“Meaningful Use Definition,” n.d.). Patient engagement is defined as a person’s continued participation in dealing
"Health information technology can be used to study or improve care coordination and its patient-centeredness. More pointedly, HIT provides an opportunity to organize disparate data sources into one cohesive, patient-centered record" (Steichen & Gregg, 2015, p. 34). With its ability to rapidly share health care information such as care plans and discharge summaries, clinical staff can make more timely decisions. Families will also be prompted to be more involved in the patient care due to the availability of current information and resources. There is no doubt that health care is evolving, and technology is creating new ways for us to stay connected, which is essential for successful care coordination.
In this exploration to understand the linkages of health information technology(HIT) and patient experience, a comprehensive literature search was conducted using the key word, “information technology, HIT, patient experience, patient satisfaction, and technology”, on the MEDLINE, PubMed, and EMBASE database resulting in over 1,000 citations. Eventually, 35 of the most relevant articles were reviewed and 11 identified as key references to include in beginning to explore the question, as the transformation of healthcare continues, how can technology enable a positive return on investment to a patients’ perception of their care in an organization and how can technology impact the patent experience? The result revel there is in fact
Health information technology (HIT) involves trading of health information in an electronic format to advance health care, reduce health expenditures, improve work efficiency, decrease medication errors, and make health care more accessible. Maintaining privacy and security of health information is crucial when technology is involved. Health information exchange plays an important role in improving the quality and delivery of health care and cost-effectiveness. “There is very little electronic information sharing among clinicians, hospitals, and other providers, despite considerable investments in health information technology (IT) over the past five years” (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2014, p. 1).
An Electronic Health Record is a computerized form of a patient’s medical chart. These records allow information to be readily available to authorized providers during a patient’s encounter with the healthcare system. These systems do not only contain medical histories, current medications and insurance information, they also track patients’ diagnoses, treatment plans, immunization dates, allergies, radiology images and lab tests/results (source). The fundamental aspect of EHRs is that they are able to share a patient’s information quickly across service lines and even between different healthcare organizations. Information is at the fingertips of lab techs, primary care physicians, pharmacies, clinics, etc. The
The purpose of this article is to examine an innovative health information technology based approach that is tailored to educate families about pediatric obesity and the associated health behaviors. It discusses the importance of advancing and improving health by utilizing innovative methods, such as health information technology (HIT). HIT systems are technology-based structures that allow access and exchange of information, computerization and improvement of decision making, and facilitation of behavior modifications to encourage healthier lifestyles.
After decades of paper based medical records, a new type of record keeping has surfaced - the Electronic Health Record (EHR). EHR is an electronic or digital format concept of an individual’s past and present medical history. It is the principle storage place for data and information about the health care services provided to an individual patient. It is maintained by a provider over time and capable of being shared across different healthcare settings by network-connected information systems. Such records may include key administrative and clinical data relevant to that persons care under a particular provider. Examples of such records may include: demographics, physician notes, problems or injuries, medications and allergies, vital
The purpose of this paper is to identify and describe two health information and communication technologies (HICTs) and how they aid nurses in supporting safe, quality care, facilitating continuity of care and care coordination, and partnering with patients and families to increase participation in health care. HICT involves electronic creation, storage, exchange, and analysis of health information to advance delivery of health care. Widespread use of HICT within the healthcare industry can achieve the following goals: improve healthcare quality and safety, reduce costs and health disparities, enhance clinical research, and ensure security of patient health information (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2015). Several examples of HICTs include: electronic medical record systems, electronic prescribing, consumer health applications, and telehealth (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality [AHRQ], 2015). Integration of HICTs in healthcare settings is valuable for all clinicians, but most importantly nurses as they are primary caregivers.
Nowadays, the number of people who have access to the internet has increased tremendously. This is one of the main reasons why many consumers/patients want to communicate to their physicians through online messaging. Online Patient-Clinician Messaging has the potential to improve the quality of medical care as it helps improve the relationship between the physician and the patient and it promotes greater involvement by patients in their own care (National Ethics Committee of the Veterans Health Administration, 2004, p. 2). Because of its benefits, there are many health care organizations that use online patient-clinician messaging. Veterans Health Administration makes patient-clinician messaging available through its My HealtheVet initiative. In addition, Kaiser Permanente also makes patient-clinician messaging available through “My Health Manager. My Health Manager is Kaiser Permanente 's personal health record, linked to its comprehensive electronic health record system, Kaiser Permanente HealthConnect(R). My Health Manager users can access their health records, view lab test results, email their physicians, request prescription refills, make, change and cancel appointments for themselves and, if authorized, also for family members ( Telemedicine Business Week, 2012).However, despite of the benefits of using online messaging, there are many physicians who are hesitant to adopt the practice. One of the main reasons is the ethical implications of patient-clinician
The advancement in technology has rapidly transformed the world today, and the increase in the number of web-enabled devices has completely changed peoples ' lives especially the way they communicate. Electronic Health Record system, which is a digital copy of a patient’s medical history is one of the revolutionary ideas that have come with this advancement. Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are instantaneously updating records that are patient-centered designed with the aim of providing real-time information to the authorized users (Cohen, 2010). It contains all the patient’s information that is in the hand of the medical providers including their medical history, treatment dates and types, immunizations conducted to the patient and their dates, radiology images and all the laboratory results from the tests conducted in the past. All this information is held in a digital format and can only be updated by authorized users who are stationed in the medical facilities. Electronic records are designed to make it easy for different health providers and organizations to share patients’ information which streamlines their operations since all the necessary information and history can be accessed from any location at any time.
It is important to understand that patients are very satisfied with electronic health systems. For example, patients see a vast improvement in the speed at which they are being seen when they go their doctors’ office. Patients no longer have to wait on their physicians for hours due to the fact that their information can be readily available to their physicians when they come to see them. Moreover, all their information is transparent to their health care provider since all their data is in electronic form.