Impact Of Technology And Economy On Ehealth And Future Predictions

Mhealth has reached the poorest of communities (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). More than 9 million patients email their physician in 2009 (Digital Health Care, 2010), because patients’ busy lifestyles do not allow time for an office visit for non-emergent health conditions. . In recent years, the expansion of mobile health (mhealth) technologies, including health text messaging, mobile phone applications, remote monitoring, and portable sensors, have changed the way health care is being delivered in the U.S. and globally (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). Patients like the convenience of communicating with his or her physician through advanced technology.

The need to achieve the triple aim established by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, of improved patient outcomes and access to care and cost savings to the health care system motivates healthcare organizations to implement telehealth services or expand their virtual services. Hospitals are implementing telehealth to avoid unnecessary visits and give patients, most especially in rural areas, easier and faster access to medical care (Aston, 2015, p. 22). The use of telehealth has the potential to improve the quality of care, health outcomes, and patient satisfaction and lower health care costs if use appropriately (Grube, Kaufman, Clarin, & O’Riordan, 2016, p.43). This paper will discuss about telehealth, the benefits of telehealth and the barriers to telehealth adaptation.

Electronic Health Records (EHR) are changing the way health care is delivered to patients, not just how patient medical information is stored. In the recent past, patient-doctor visits consisted of handwritten multiple medical forms to be completed, and most times duplicated. There were several areas of concern with past patient record keeping, omission of important care information, medical interventions and prescribed medication were missed in certain cases, erroneously prescribed or duplicated and records were lost or misplaced. EHR facilities and improves the quality of care by refining access to patient record by multiple health care providers and the patient; better decision support; reporting occurs in real time and is legible which

For patients with chronic health conditions, or life-threatening illnesses, such as cancer, virtual medical encounters foster a greater sense of comfort and familiarity with their physicians. Even before they have their first face-to-face appointment with a new physician, they can take a virtual tour of the medical facility, ask questions via an EHR patient portal and in some instances connect with other patients experiencing similar journeys. All of these benefits come with a great potential to improve patient outcomes, and often reduce the overall cost of care by almost $90 per visit. Studies show that four out of ten patients admit they would skip seeing a doctor if they did not have access to a remote appointment, which could increase risks and potentially exacerbate treatment or recovery.

In today’s time, the Internet is really altering the way us Americans intermingle with the healthcare system. The Internet is making consumers more desirable to use it, in hopes for more opportunities. With the help from the Internet, telemedicine is becoming one of the best cultivating advanced technology in healthcare right now. Telemedicine can be defined as the use of medical information that is exchanged from one site to another (americantelemed, 2012). This process utilizes technology and digital communication in order to help patients’ progress. Important aspects of telecommunication include video, email, mobile devices, and more. So, in a nutshell telemedicine allows patients to communicate with their assigned physician about any

To say that hospital costs are rising at fast pace is an understatement. According to the article, gross domestic product spent on health care in the United States has grown from 5.3% in 1960 to more than 18%. With healthcare costs on the rise, I think it is important to accurately account for the costs. With the newly regulated and highly sophisticated electronic medical record (EMR) system it allows access to large amount of data that compare costs better than before. Due to EMR systems Physicians no longer chart on paper but on laptops and tablets.

The primary care has a huge impact on the relationship between the physician and the patient. Setting up the HER (Electronic Health Record) is very imperative in ensuring that the patient’s medical record is easily accessible and can be shared. This is beneficial to the health care network so that providers and patients are able to exchange information even outside of office visits. Patients that are uninsured and utilize online services for physician visits have a lower cost alternative. A patient paying $45 for a virtual visit whom is suffering from a sinus infection is much more affordable than an emergency room or office doctor visit. Those living in remote areas where a shortage of physicians exists or where access requires lengthy trips to the nearest clinic may find they can access care more quickly and at less out of pocket expense, as costs for travel are eliminated. In both situations it is the reduced wait time and easier access to a physician that help them feel better faster, thus improving their quality of life. Knowing that there is an alternate option such as virtual visits gives the extra assurance needed.

Today, it is a common practice for patients to hold video conferences with physicians to save time and money normally spent on traveling to another geographic location or the time spend sending health information to specialist or doctor in the world. With more hospitals and practices using medical technology like mobile devices on the job, physicians now have access to any type of information they need, from “drug information, research and studies, patient history or records, and more within mere seconds” (Healthcare Business, 2014). The ease at which these mobile devices can be carry around provides physicians with the needed information. Applications that aid in identifying potential health threats and examining digital information like X-rays and computerized tomography (CT) scans also contribute to the benefits that information technology brings to medicine (Healthcare business, 2014).

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 terms of convenience for example, patients that work during the day may find it difficult to put aside the time to go visit their doctor. The process of telehealth allows for a quick doctor’s visit via phone, web chat, video, etc. that can very easily be done over a lunch break. This is especially convenient for patients who have a doctor they have been seeing for years and are simply looking for a follow-up on a prescription or an update on their diagnosis (Harper 1).

In the age of technology, digital data is king. The movement to an electronic health record (EHR) has been going on for years, but recently it is picking up steam. As professionals in the field become more proficient and knowledgeable about EHRs, the benefits will only increase. The 2011 Physician Workflow study by King, Patel, Jamoom, and Furukawa found that “most physicians with EHRs reported EHR use enhanced patient care overall (78 percent), helped them access a patient’s chart remotely (81 percent), and alerted them to a potential medication error (65 percent)” (King, Patel, Jamoom, & Furukawa, 2014). In this study, physicians with two or more years of experience with EHRs rated the benefits even higher.

Quinn, G., Ellery, J., Detman, L.A., Jeffers, D., Gorski, P.A., Singer, T., & Mahan, C.S.

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.

Shortage of healthcare workers in US is a well-known phenomenon. With the baby-boomer generation coming to its retirement the acute shortage of talented workforce is a major challenge before the US health care. There are a number of trends in health care that are currently affecting the workforce dynamics. The use of technology in health care has increased over time and increasingly health care organizations are adopting new technologies to make their services better. It is an important trend that has also affected the health care workforce. Increased use of Information Technology in the health care organizations has led to related changes in the composition of the workforce too. But not just this, there are also a number of other

There is an increasing need within the U.S. for quality health care to be provided to individuals who have limited access whether it is due to a rural environment, disabilities, or in the field of battle. Telemedicine is literally medicine provided at a distance. Telehealth is able to alleviate some of the effects of a growing shortage of professionals such as primary care physicians. In this type of health care delivery, the dynamics between the patient and the entire health care system changes. Telemedicine meets the increasing demands of patients to have greater access, or responsiveness, from a health care provider. It also meets the needs of the provider who is very interested in time-saving, safety-enhancing assistance in their daily practice. Employers and health plans are also very interested in telemedicine as a means of improving compliance with treatment plans and care management initiatives (Hodgkins, 2008). The use of email also allows the patient to have increased access to their health care providers. Instead of calling their health care provider’s office, patients are now able to email their non-emergent health care questions to their provider. Conversely, health care providers are able to email patients reminders for appointments or wellness tips.