Consequences of Utilizing Many Forms of Technology on the Patient-Doctor Relationship
Technology is no doubt the in-thing and advancements in this field are mind-boggling. It has encompassed and now spans across virtually all fields. The health care field has been on the frontline of benefitting from advancements in technology. The application of advanced technology in the field of health care has yielded results which have been nothing short of miraculous (Greenes, 2007). As the advancement in technology has resulted in changes in the methods of treatments, it has also changed the relationship between the patients and the physicians. These changes have been as varied in their effects as in their causes. Some of the resulting effects have been positive whereas some have been negative as far as the relationship between the patients and their doctors is concerned (Englebardt & Nelson, 2012).
Positive effects of using many forms of technology on patient-doctor relationship
Quite a significant number of doctors admitted that digital visits could help alleviate the burden of actual in-hospital visits by the patients. This too, was a welcome relief to quite a number of patients who opted for e-visits. This would end up saving much time for both parties. The use of Electronic Health Records would save on time as manual processes and administrative systems that are inefficient will be removed (Ahmed & Raja, 2015). Because of this, the physicians and other care givers will have more time to focus on their patients resulting to better services. This will in turn help create more understanding between the patients and their doctors as they have more time in consultations (Likourezos et al., 2004).
Negative effects of using many forms of technology on patient-doctor relationship
The use of these forms of technology will actually reduce the physical meetings between the patients and their caregivers. Most of their interactions such as appointments, consultations and even recommendations will be done virtually with the aid of these technologies and therefore the patients will rarely meet with their doctors. With time, this actual physical separation leads to a decreased emotional connection between the patients and their doctors (Greenes, 2007). With decreased physical connection due to such technology as virtual hospitals, there is expected to be a wane in the emotional connection between the patients and their caregivers owing to this physical separation (Englebardt & Nelson, 2012).
There is also the risk of strain in the patient-physician relationship especially in cases where the patients access information that was previously only known to their physician. In such cases, the patients may feel at level at times with their physicians and this will cause them to claim a say in the search for possible remedy (Heeks, 2006). Therefore, access to this health information from recommended online sources has brought about educated patients and this may at times strain their relationship with the physicians as they debate on the best remedies for their ailments (Sewell & Thede, 2012).
The Wireless Future of Medicine
The video is on a presentation done in 2009 at Ted talks on the wireless future of medicine. The video mentions such traditional medical devices as the stethoscope and holter monitor and how they have served for years. These however, are outdated and need give way to modern wireless devices which are more efficient and with a wide consumer reach. These include smart bandages, hand-held ultrasound, sleep monitors, sensors implanted on the skin as well as apps integrated with smart phones that will keep constant check on the vital signs. All these digital devices have a target disease with greater focus on the chronic diseases and are aimed at warning the patients in time so that they may seek timely medical services. The video elaborates the efficiency of this technology to the consumers and the ease of its application since many people have smart phones into which the technology and modern apps can be integrated. From the presentation, it is evident that this technology is long overdue. The technology is of great help to patients and it is efficient yet so personal and should be rolled out to the market immediately. Pilot testing should be done and a proper framework put in place to guide its large scale implementation.
The advancement of technology currently being experienced is no doubt revolutionizing the field of health care. The results are unprecedented and we are now staring at the wireless future of medicine laden with digital medical wireless devices as well as digital medical apps (Topol, 2009). There are, at present, such devices as electro cardio gram, hand held ultra sound, smart bandage and smart phones that are already in use. It is worth noting that people will be able to check on such vital signs as the heart rhythm, blood pressure, body temperature, oxygen levels, breathing as well as on other vital signs. People suffering from diabetes will be able to keep a constant check of their glucose levels as they will have a glucose sensor that shows the patients’ glucose level (Sewell & Thede, 2012). There will also be devices that will measure the number of calories in food and this will be of vital importance to the people, as it will guide on them on the best food combinations relative to their energy requirements. It will also be possible to monitor sleep on phone and this will in turn be used to recommend proper rest to patients with problems in sleeping. This will be recorded on phone.
These above-mentioned technologies are effective since at present, majority of the people have access to phones and many of these phones are smart phones. With such a high number of cell phone users, there is thus a wide reach of these phone based technology to reach the populace. The wireless future of medicine also encompasses other technology such as shoes and this goes hand in hand with the smart bandage that also has an imaging sensor. With a big number of tech savvy populace and with a significant number owning Nike shoes that have integrated this technology of the smart bandage, the wireless future of medicine can only grow and expand rapidly (Sewell & Thede, 2012).
How Technology Will Help Save Money in Future
The use of technology will surely save money in future by the use of paperless records as well as by eliminating duplicate testing (Heeks, 2006). In the use of paperless records, the system will be rid of all unnecessary paper transactions. In its ideal sense, all these physical transactions will be replaced by a more efficient paperless system. With this system, all orders for medications would be placed through this online system (Sewell & Thede, 2012). The use of Electronic Health Records will enable physicians to have access to and share patients’ records with other physicians and caregivers. This will facilitate the caregivers to offer the best possible treatments to the patients. In addition, this technology will enable the caregivers to dedicate their time to the care of their patients. The patients will therefore benefit from more attention by the physicians. It will further save on time as manual processes and administrative systems that are inefficient will be rid of (Ahmed & Raja, 2015).
The use of evidence based technology will be another method through which the use of technology will help save money in the future. In this system, a database of all previously researched diseases and ailments is kept for reference in the future treatment of other diseases that may arise (Englebardt & Nelson, 2012). The signs and symptoms of these diseases as well as their possible cures are properly stored and used as basis for treatment of future diseases. Patients who visit hospitals and other health facilities are assessed for diseases with initial tests being conducted with reference to past diseases and the signs and symptoms they previously exhibited (Skolnik, 2011).
With a $ 100 billion annual budget, the hospital CEO can plan on conversion of the clinic operations to be inclined more towards the use of technology. The incorporation of the technology aspect in the business operations would save time will be cheaper, and easy. The CEO may focus on paperless records; evidence based studies, digital consultation models, online medical training school, treatment and diagnoses program, as well as community cyber-interaction portal. The CEO may also incorporate digital marketing, advertising and Dissemination of Medical Information platform.
One Hundred Billion Budgets for a Healthcare Institution
Paperless Records
The use of the papers in the hospital is costly in terms of labor, space, and retrieval time (Henricks, 2011). The hospital will spend $ 20 billion in transforming the existing paper records to digital data that can be stored online. Of the $ 20 billion, $ 5 billion will be used to create our server and to create our cyber space for the storage and ease access of the hospital information. $ 10 billion will be used in the conversion of the available paper records to digital information. $ 5 billion will be used to maintain the cyber space and upgrade it as the need arises
Evidence-Based Research
Evidence based research will eliminate the need for the clinic duplicate testing and safe time and money spent in the treatment process (Marquis & Huston, 2014). $ 20 Billion will be employed to collect, analyze, and further studies on the various diseases to provide evidence-based directions on the treatment and diagnoses of the most common illnesses.
Online Consultation Platforms
Online Diagnoses and Treatment
Online diagnoses and treatment will improve the quality of the healthcare offered to the patients (Henricks, 2011, P. 40). $ 10 billion will be used to compile a comprehensive self-diagnoses digital platform for the various diseases. The self-diagnosed patient will order treatment online that will be delivered to the specified location.
Online Medical Training School
$ 10 billion will be employed in constructing a digital medical training school. The school will be accessible in more than 40 international languages, offer all the health disciplines and accommodate a population of two million people across the globe.
Digital Marketing, Advertising and Dissemination of Medical Information
Currently, medical awareness and healthcare information is the critical leader to improved health care services and patient outcome (Marquis & Huston, 2014, P. 63). $ 10 billion will be used to market the hospital, advertise on the emerging treatment procedures, and pass relevant healthcare information to the public across the globe.
Online Community Healthcare Platform
Involvement of the public in the healthcare provision is critical to improving patient experience, treatment outcome, and evaluation of the effectiveness of the various remedy programs (Marquis & Huston, 2014, P. 37). $ 10 billion will be used to develop a digital community interactive program. The society will share their experiences, alternative medicine, their beliefs, and cultural practices that can be employed to designing better treatment and community health management policies (Henricks, 2011, P. 38).
4. Informatics: Course Reflection
Health Care
Health is a basic need and every person should have access to proper health care. The area of health care is very broad, has very many players and has to be adequately funded if it is to offer the optimal services as pertains to health. There is need to adapt to modern trends to be able to adequately offer health care services to the ever growing needs of the ever increasing population (Likourezos et al., 2004).
Communication
In health care, proper communication is of utmost importance. It is vital that information be properly relayed so that it is clearly received and acted upon. Erroneous communication can lead to a misdiagnosis and eventually wrong treatment. Besides, information sharing especially between physicians dealing with complicated illnesses is vital as it allows for consultations as the most appropriate remedy is sought (Englebardt & Nelson, 2012).
Information and Technology
Great advancements have been made in this area. These developments have greatly revolutionized our health care. There is increased efficiency in the delivery of health care services and elimination of unnecessary manual processes and administrative systems (Skolnik, 2011). Besides, this has led to speedy consultations and more efficient information sharing and hence better treatment. The future of health care is no doubt going to be greatly driven by technology. With majority people being tech savvy and having smart phones, these will have easy access to health care services as these will readily be integrated into these smart phones as well as smart shoes and other gadgets too (Sewell & Thede, 2012).
References
Ahmed, S., & Raja, M. (2015). Virtual Hospitals: Integration of Telemedicine, Healthcare
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Englebardt, S. P., & Nelson, R. (2012). Health care informatics: An interdisciplinary approach. St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier
Greenes, R. A. (2007). Clinical Decision Support: The Road Ahead. California: Academic Press.
Heeks, R. (2006). Health information systems: Failure, success and improvisation. International Journal of medical informatics , 125-137.
Henricks, W. H. (2011). Meaningful use of electronic health records and its relevance to
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Likourezos, A, Chalfin, D.B., Murphy, D.G., Sommer, B., Darcy, K. & Davidson, S.J. (2004). Physician and nurse satisfaction with an Electronic Medical Record system. J Emerg Med. 2004 Nov;27(4):419–24. [PubMed]
Marquis, B. L., & Huston, C. J. (2014). Leadership roles and management functions in nursing: Theory and application (8th ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Sewell, J. & Thede, L. (2012). Informatics and Nursing: Opportunities and Challenges. New York: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Skolnik, N. S. (2011). Electronic medical records: A practical guide for primary care. New York: Humana.
Topol, E. (2009). The wireless future of medicine | TED Talk | TED.com [Video file]. Retrieved
