Consumer Health/PHR Knowledge Management
In the healthcare field the acquisition of knowledge is important to improve patient care. The process of identifying, managing, and sharing this information is called knowledge management. For this assignment, read the Health Informatics: A Systems Perspective, Chapter 8 Case Study on page 184, and analyze how telehealth and personal health records may increase the quality of healthcare in the community. In your paper:
- Describe challenges in ensuring continuity of care for patients with chronic conditions. How can emerging technologies solve or at least ease these challenges?
- List and explain some of the benefits of integrating a PHR with a health social network for patients with chronic conditions, their caregivers, and the organization.
- Name the specific effects that adopting e-health and social media applications will have on the structure and strategies of a healthcare organization
- How might the adoption of an integrated PHR and health social network change the interaction and relationship between patients and health professionals?
Your Paper:
- Must be a minimum of two to three, double-spaced pages in length, excluding the title and reference pages, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Writing Center.
- Include a title page with the following:
- Title of paper
- Student’s name
- Course name and number
- Instructor’s name
- Date submitted
- Begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.
- Address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
- Use at least three scholarly sources (excluding the textbook), two of which are from the University of Arizona Global Campus Library.
- All sources should be listed in APA style, as outlined in the Writing Center.
- Include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Writing Center.
Carefully review the Grading RubricLinks to an external site. for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Knowledge management is a critical aspect of improving patient care in the healthcare industry. It involves identifying, managing, and sharing information among medical professionals, caregivers, and patients. This assignment requires the analysis of the impact of telehealth and personal health records on healthcare quality in the community.
1. Describe challenges in ensuring continuity of care for patients with chronic conditions. How can emerging technologies solve or at least ease these challenges?
Chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart diseases require constant monitoring and management to ensure continuity of care. One of the significant challenges in managing these conditions is the lack of a unified patient record. Patients often have to visit specialists who use different electronic systems that do not integrate, leading to fragmented and incomplete patient information. Emerging technologies such as telehealth and personal health records can solve this challenge by providing patients with an integrated platform to manage their health information. By consolidating patient information in one central location, healthcare professionals can seamlessly access vital patient data, leading to better continuity of care.
2. List and explain some of the benefits of integrating a PHR with a health social network for patients with chronic conditions, their caregivers, and the organization.
Integrating a personal health record (PHR) with a health social network provides numerous benefits for patients, caregivers, and healthcare organizations. Some of these benefits include improved patient engagement and empowerment, enhanced care coordination, and lower healthcare costs. Patients can interact with others with similar conditions, share their experiences, and receive support, leading to increased confidence in managing their health. Caregivers benefit from improved communication with healthcare professionals and better management of the patient’s medication regimen. Healthcare organizations benefit from decreased paperwork, better data management, and improved care quality metrics.
3. Name the specific effects that adopting e-health and social media applications will have on the structure and strategies of a healthcare organization.
Adopting e-health and social media applications can significantly impact the structure and strategies of a healthcare organization. One significant effect is the shift from the traditional paper-based record-keeping system to digital systems. This shift reduces the risk of data loss and provides healthcare professionals with access to a patient’s information, improving the quality of care. Another effect is improved communication between healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers. The applications provide patients with an avenue to contact healthcare professionals outside traditional working hours, leading to improved patient satisfaction. In addition, e-health and social media applications promote preventive care, leading to healthier patient populations.
4. How might the adoption of an integrated PHR and health social network change the interaction and relationship between patients and health professionals?
Adopting an integrated PHR and health social network will significantly change the interaction and relationship between patients and healthcare professionals. Patients will have more control over their healthcare decisions, making them more informed and engaged in their health management. Healthcare professionals will have access to the patient’s health information, leading to more informed decision-making, improving the quality of care. In addition, the integrated platform will enable healthcare professionals to communicate effectively with their patients, leading to improved patient satisfaction. Integration will also promote continuity of care, particularly for chronic conditions, reducing the need for repeated hospital visits.
