Refer to textbook chapter 1.
Describe some of the driving forces behind the demand for increased use of informatics in healthcare. Can you identify any outside forces? Briefly discuss some pros and cons related to this forces.
Informatics
Recently, there has been an exponential rise in healthcare informatics applications. This increase can be attributed to widespread adoption of technologies like electronic medical records (EMRs), mobile phones and telemedicine; all which have had a transformative effect on delivery and management (Sewell 2019). The advantages of technological advancements in health include data accessibility, improved communication among healthcare providers, faster diagnosis times, and improved patient outcomes are among the many potential advantages. The disadvantages include high initial implementation costs, the potential for technical glitches or system failures, and data security/privacy concerns.
Another contributing factor is the requirements of government and regulating bodies. Governments and regulatory bodies have mandated that healthcare organizations adopt HIT and utilize informatics effectively (Sewell, 2019). Advantages of this include standardizing healthcare data, improving interoperability among systems and better coordination of care delivery. Disadvantages include compliance issues, increased administrative burden and potential for workflow disruption during the implementation phase are some of the potential drawbacks to consider when considering an IT-enabled workflow management solution.
Additionally, the transition towards Value-Based Care has increased demand for healthcare informatics. The healthcare industry is moving toward value-based care models. Pros include improved care coordination, greater patient engagement, focus on preventive healthcare and cost savings through efficient resource utilization (Sewell, 2019). Implementation challenges, the potential for increased administrative burden, and difficulties accurately measuring outcomes and ascribing value can all hinder their successful implementation.
One external force contributing to the increased adoption of informatics includes global health challenges such as pandemics which have highlighted its critical role. Pros of using informatics in managing pandemics include collecting, analyzing, and sharing real-time data for early detection and response (Basit et al., 2021). Disadvantages include data quality/accuracy challenges along with technical infrastructure/interoperability issues, among others.
References
Basit, M. A., Lehmann, C. U., & Medford, R. J. (2021). Managing Pandemics with Health Informatics: Successes and Challenges. Yearbook of Medical Informatics, 30(1), 17–25. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1726478
Sewell, J. P. (2019). Informatics and nursing : opportunities and challenges (6th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.