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Patients and Connected Care

The impact of information technology has transformed the healthcare industry in the US. Be it […]

The impact of information technology has transformed the healthcare industry in the US. Be it the war stricken economy or the need for an effective care system, the government has jumped on the eHealth bandwagon with its bags loaded. Healthcare reforms under the American Re-investment and Recovery Act (ARRA) are fuelled by the need for change. With coordinated care being the benchmark, everyone on the care continuum including the patient has a role to play. Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) act as a hub for information, as well as a medium for information exchange. They are an integral component of the healthcare industry and the connected care community.

“We have been storing medical information for decades, but seldom have we put it to use. With data mining, EMRs can generate systematic information and make more use out of what we have stored”, says a health IT expert, before adding, “Now pharmacies, labs, hospitals, disease and health control bodies can share data to provide better care for patients.”

With the surge in EMR adoption, ONC’s objective of a Nationwide Health Information Network (NwHIN) may materialize in the near future. This would allow the government to better predict disease outbreaks and foster control  over epidemics. The healthcare community will also move towards preventive care, providing a healthier lifestyle for the masses. Farzad Mostashari, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology believes that structured data will enable medical professionals to extend preventive care to the public, thereby eliminating the ‘waiting for a sick person to walk in’ culture.

While the physician’s responsibilities may increase, patient dependence would definitely not. In an ideal world, patients should manage their own health, while physicians should only get involved when things go wrong. The introduction of preventive care would allow patients to use web portals, while keeping track of their health records and physician notes. Individuals would also benefit from patient education while improving awareness. Dr. Mostashari believes that most patients forget 50% of what was said inside an examination room, and some often find it difficult to relate to medical terms and procedures. By inducing a culture of patient education, patients would be able to respond in a constructive manner. Connected care is not just a way to reduce healthcare expenditures and promote affordable care; it is a platform that improves the quality of care delivery.


Frank Quinn

The writer is a leading Health IT analyst contributing regularly on some of the most pressing topics like Electronic Health Records, Practice Management, eRx, Patient Portal, Billing Services, Compliance and Privacy and Security.

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