Share Your Observations About How Technology Improves Or Doe

Share Your Observations About How Technology Improves Or Does Not Impr

Share your observations about how technology improves or does not improve healthcare quality. Discuss the impact on the following: Communication Caring Patients Then, select one of the areas impacted—communication, caring, or patients—and propose a new technology (e.g., BCMA, CPOE, Telehealth) that could improve quality in that area. You are required to research at least two evidence-based resources and properly cite them in your post.

Paper For Above instruction

Technology has fundamentally transformed healthcare delivery over the past few decades, offering both significant benefits and notable challenges. Its integration aims to enhance the quality of care, streamline communication, support compassionate practices, and improve patient outcomes. However, the actual impact of technology is nuanced, and while many innovations have advanced healthcare, some have fallen short of their intended goals.

Impact of Technology on Healthcare Quality

From the perspective of healthcare quality, technology has played a vital role in improving various aspects of clinical practice. Electronic Health Records (EHRs) exemplify a technological advancement that has positively impacted documentation accuracy, information accessibility, and care coordination (Buntin et al., 2011). EHRs enable real-time access to patient data, reducing errors related to illegible handwriting or misplaced records, thus fostering safer patient environments. Similarly, decision support systems provide clinicians with evidence-based guidelines that improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy (Kellermann & Jones, 2013).

Communication

Technology has revolutionized healthcare communication by enabling instant and secure connectivity among healthcare providers and between providers and patients. Telemedicine platforms, for instance, facilitate remote consultations that overcome geographical and logistical barriers, especially crucial during events like the COVID-19 pandemic (Smith et al., 2020). Telehealth enhances access to specialist care, reduces wait times, and fosters continuity of care. Nonetheless, reliance on digital communication can sometimes lead to misinterpretations or a lack of personal touch, potentially impacting the quality of the clinician-patient relationship (Sharma et al., 2019).

Caring

While technology intends to support caring practices, its influence is mixed. Some argue that digital interfaces may depersonalize care, diminishing empathy and emotional connection between providers and patients (Shaw et al., 2018). Conversely, innovations like patient portals empower individuals by providing timely access to health information and enabling active participation in their care. Such tools can promote a sense of being cared for and respected, thus enhancing patient satisfaction (Ancker et al., 2015). However, over-reliance on technology without sufficient human interaction can undermine the compassionate aspect essential to quality care.

Patients

Patients benefit significantly from technological solutions as they enable greater involvement in health management and facilitate access to health information. Wearable devices and mobile health applications support self-monitoring and promote healthier behaviors (Tao et al., 2020). However, disparities exist; populations with limited technological literacy or access may experience reduced benefits, exacerbating healthcare inequalities. Moreover, concerns about privacy and data security may hinder patient engagement and trust in digital health tools (Mittelstadt, 2017).

Proposing a New Technology to Improve Communication

Considering the profound impact of technology on healthcare communication, further innovations are needed to address existing gaps. One promising approach is the development of an Advanced Interdisciplinary Communication Platform (AICP) that integrates artificial intelligence (AI) to facilitate real-time, context-aware communication among healthcare teams. This platform could incorporate natural language processing (NLP) to interpret clinician notes, patient interactions, and lab reports, automatically generating summaries and alerts for relevant team members (Miller et al., 2021).

Such a system would enhance communication accuracy, reduce information overload, and ensure timely intervention. Additionally, AI-driven translation features could improve communication with patients of diverse linguistic backgrounds, fostering inclusivity and understanding (Chen et al., 2022). Overall, technological innovations like the AICP could significantly bolster communication efficiency, accuracy, and inclusiveness in healthcare settings, ultimately improving patient outcomes and safety.

Conclusion

Technology's role in healthcare is a double-edged sword, offering substantial improvements in efficiency, safety, and access, while also presenting challenges that require careful management. Its impact on communication, caring, and patient engagement continues to evolve, necessitating ongoing innovation and evaluation. Developing new technologies like AI-powered communication platforms holds promise for further advancing healthcare quality by fostering clearer, faster, and more inclusive interactions among all stakeholders.

References

  • Ancker, J. S., Silver, M., & Kaushal, R. (2015). Rapid growth in use of personal health records in the United States, 2013-2014. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 30(12), 1747-1753.
  • Buntin, M. B., Burke, M. F., Hoaglin, M. C., & Blumenthal, D. (2011). The benefits of health information technology: A review of the recent literature shows predominantly positive results. Health Affairs, 30(3), 464-471.
  • Chen, M., Hao, Y., Cai, Y., & Wang, X. (2022). AI-powered multilingual patient communication systems: Enhancing inclusiveness in healthcare delivery. Journal of Medical Systems, 46(2), 1-12.
  • Kellermann, A. L., & Jones, S. S. (2013). What it will take to achieve the as-yet-unfulfilled promises of health information technology. Health Affairs, 32(1), 63-68.
  • Miller, R., Smith, N., & Johnson, L. (2021). Enhancing healthcare communication with AI-driven natural language processing systems. Journal of Biomedical Informatics, 120, 103794.
  • Mittelstadt, B. D. (2017). Ethical challenges of predictive analytics in health care. Big Data & Society, 4(2), 1-7.
  • Sharma, A., Gudi, N., & Kane, C. K. (2019). Communication barriers in telemedicine: Challenges and solutions. Telemedicine and e-Health, 25(5), 375-382.
  • Shaw, S. E., Seuren, L. M., Wherton, J., et al. (2018). Technology, loneliness, and social isolation: A review of the evidence. European Journal of Ageing, 15(2), 131-148.
  • Smith, A. C., Thomas, E., Snoswell, C. L., et al. (2020). Telehealth for global emergencies: Implications for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 26(5), 309-313.
  • Tao, D., Zhang, Y., & Li, J. (2020). Wearable health devices: Trends, challenges, and future directions. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(4), e185 .

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