Use of Health Information Technology at an Individual Level

Use of Health Information Technology at an Individual Level

Introduction

Health Information Technology (HIT) application is mainly the use of welfare data that is processed using both hardware and software with storage and retrieval capabilities. The technology is a relatively broad concept that deals with a variety of tools and instruments that directly impact the services offered in health institutions such as hospitals (Kruse & Beane 2018). Different levels have a direct impact from technology, especially at individual, professional and organizational levels. This presentation highlights the impact of health information technology at a personal level, highlighting the importance of health IT, the use of health IT and the effect on the quality of care on the individuals. Finally, this discussion addresses the future of information technology individuals.

Importance of health information

Access to health information technology tools can significantly determine the quality of care that an individual patient experiences as well as the chances and rate of recovery. Kruse & Beane (2018) recognizes that it is fundamental that individuals understand their role in accessing such tools and appreciate the part of care providers in improving access and efficiency in the use of such technology in healthcare. Health care providers have several applications of nursing informatics tools such as Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and telemedicine in communication. There are several benefits of these technology tools. At an individual level, such benefits include access to home-based care, accountability in clinical data recording guaranteeing quality care, and quick access to test results and prescription.

Use health information technology

At the patient level, Information technology in healthcare can be used in many forms, especially by the doctors or by the patients themselves (. In most cases, a patient needs information support to improve on the impact of personal care on the recovery. Patients can use information technology to improve their access to quality and the relevant guidance that would directly impact on their knowledge base regarding their condition. At an individual level, patients can use information technology to improve their ability to retrieve health history and improve on the quality of their lives. Information technology in healthcare has facilitated both the recording, retention and access of information significantly improving on the ability to analyze and obtain a variety of health guidance. Individuals can take advantage of such advancements in increasing the health knowledge that facilitates preventive care as well as described curative care.

Impact on quality of care

With the ease of access to information for both the care provider and the patient, individuals are likely to access quality care. Current nursing professional practice has increased the demand for patient-centred care that is relatively holistic and acts on the individualized needs of the patients (Brody 2017). It is, therefore, imperative that access to patient health records becomes easy to improve on the care providers understanding of each patient. As such, at an individual level, patients are more likely to access holistic care dental care that responds to both psychological physical and emotional needs. These attributes of care define a relatively improved quality experience.

Future of information technology

The future of health Informatics is mainly in software technology tools that are recently being developed, especially in data management and analysis. Cutting edge Research in Healthcare Informatics has synergized operation in the field of computer science and health giving rise to accessible tools in machine learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) that advanced nursing professional practice (Helm et al. 2020). These trends are likely to continue significantly impacting on the nature of the training and the quality of care administered to patients.

Conclusion

Generally, Informatics technology in healthcare has significantly improved the efficiency in patient management, especially in offering quality patient centred nursing care. Information technology has a potential of synergizing different software and hardware technology tools and healthcare. Such relationships define the future of health informatics, especially in the field of AI.

Reference

Kruse, C. S., & Beane, A. (2018). Health information technology continues to show a positive effect on medical outcomes: a systematic review. Journal of medical Internet research, 20(2), e41.

Brody, H. (2017). Patient-centred care or drug-centred care: the influence of pharmaceutical marketing on medical science and public health. In Philosophical Issues in Pharmaceutics (pp. 109-124). Springer, Dordrecht.

Helm, J. M., Swiergosz, A. M., Haeberle, H. S., Karnuta, J. M., Schaffer, J. L., Krebs, V. E., … & Ramkumar, P. N. (2020). Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence: Definitions, Applications, and Future Directions. Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine, 1-8.

Winter, A., Stäubert, S., Ammon, D., Aiche, S., Beyan, O., Bischoff, V., … & de Greiff, A. (2018). Smart medical information technology for healthcare (SMITH). Methods of information in medicine, 57(S 01), e92-e105.