Nr361 Week 5: Trends in Informatics
Nr361 Week 5: Trends. This week’s graded discussion topic relates to the following Course Outcomes (COs).
- CO6 Discuss the principles of data integrity, professional ethics, and legal requirements related to data security, regulatory requirements, confidentiality, and client’s right to privacy. (PO 6)
- CO7 Examine the use of information systems to document interventions related to achieving nurse sensitive outcomes. (PO 7)
Select one of the following trends and discuss your understanding of this trend in healthcare and its potential impact on your practice as a nurse. What are the legal, privacy, and ethical considerations of this trend?
- Nanotechnology
- Consumer health informatics (CHI)
- Telehealth (or telenursing)/virtual healthcare
- Social media healthcare applications
- Health-focused wearable technology
- eHealth
Nr361 Week 5: Trends Answer
The rapid and exponential progression of technology in recent years has brought about significant transformations in the delivery of healthcare services (Hebda & Czar, 2013). Amidst this evolution, an emerging trend in the healthcare sector is telehealth, which entails the utilization of telecommunication and virtual technology to extend healthcare services beyond traditional settings.
Telehealth, as described by Mazur (2017), involves the remote exchange of data between patients and their physicians, primarily focusing on diagnosis and monitoring a diverse array of medical conditions. Jetty, Moore, Coffman, Petterson, and Bazemore (2018) underscore that telehealth harnesses various information and communication technologies to enhance patient care, incorporating remote patient monitoring and other innovative approaches.
This evolution toward telehealth not only facilitates remote data exchange but also integrates advanced technologies for improved patient care. The incorporation of remote patient monitoring and other telehealth modalities reflects a transformative shift in healthcare delivery, emphasizing the potential to enhance accessibility and efficiency in the provision of medical services.
References:
Hebda, T., & Czar, P. (2013). Handbook of informatics for nurses and healthcare professionals. Pearson.
Mazur, L. (2017). Telehealth in the 21st century. Home Healthcare Now, 35(1), 10-12.
Jetty, A., Moore, M. A., Coffman, M., Petterson, S. M., & Bazemore, A. (2018). Rural family physicians are twice as likely to use telehealth as urban family physicians. Telemedicine and e-Health, 24(4), 268-276.
