Health Information Technology
Information Technology is the use of software and hardware in an organization to facilitate the smooth running of the organization. Healthcare, on the other hand, is the management of health through diagnosis, prevention, cure, and even recovery (Piña et al., 2015). The advancement of Information (IT) has brought with it significant changes in the working environment, especially in the healthcare sector. Chronic diseases, on the other hand, have become rampant, and their treatment is difficult. Healthcare is becoming expensive, and therefore the majority of the population are unable to afford healthcare. Health Information Technology is not only able to improve the health of individuals but also cut costs that are involved in seeking medical attention.
Information Technology is helpful in the digitization of patients’ records that is accessible to both the doctors and the patients. The introduction of Electronic Health Records (EHR) has replaced paper records (Negash, Musa, Vogel & Sahay, 2018). Through EHR, management, storing and transmission of data between labs and specialists are now quick and easy, and it cut costs involved in physical transmission. The transfer of data of a patient saves lives, especially in cases where the patient is unconscious and in need of medical treatment. When properly implemented and maintained, EHR can also help in reducing malpractices and increase accountability.
Technology helps in the improvement of patient care. Through EHRs, doctors can easily make medical decisions based on the health and medical history of the patient. Radio Frequency Identification also helps in patient care by providing information about the patient’s temperature and vital signs. Another way which technology helps in enhancing patient care is through 3D printing to create hearing aids, prosthetics, and even customized dental devices (Negash, Musa, Vogel & Sahay, 2018). Virtual reality devices help reduce anxiety and depression symptoms in patients with mental illness and older patients. Virtual reality devices like robots now aid surgeons to perform complex operations because these devices can reach organs surgeons cannot reach with their bare hands.
Information Technology and Communication are continuously improving, and this enables medical experts to carry out research that helps in improving healthcare. Medical researchers have access to comprehensive data as well as different population groups that offer new insights into diseases, genetics, and care outcomes (Piña et al., 2015). IT and communication also help patients to get in touch with medical practitioners and doctors around the world to get the second opinion about the type of treatment to acquire through teleconferencing. Patients can also travel to other parts of the country to get highly advanced surgery or specialized procedure that is not available in their home country. After the treatment, teleconferencing helps in patient monitoring, counselling and management.
As time advances, technology also advances, and therefore the advantages of IT on healthcare improves. The major disadvantage that technology causes in healthcare are that patients seek medical advice from uncertified online sources and even prescribe medicine. Despite the significant concerns, the benefits of IT implies that the advantages supersede the disadvantages. Even though Information Technology has a positive impact on healthcare, developed countries have harnessed technology for better patient healthcare. Developing countries are also catching up quickly. The introduction of universal healthcare through technology by the World Health Organization (WHO) ensures people from developing countries use curative, preventive, palliative, and promotive health service they require.