Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Coursework Example

Introduction

Electronic health records continue to evolve and increase in scope in the practice environment. They possess a far-reaching level of potential that requires continuous innovation and analysis in order meet the demands of the modern healthcare system. eHealth initiatives continue to present new opportunities to improve access to individual health information and to be proactive in advancing outcomes for large groups of patients (Hebda & Czar, 2013). With these initiatives, it is important to identify the consumer benefits and to be proactive in advancing this agenda to accommodate patients across a variety of healthcare environments, but to also recognize the apprehension that exists regarding this choice (Hebda & Czar, 2013; National Partnership, 2012).

Analysis

Upon review of the CDC website, it is quickly determined that there is important information regarding public health and community-based health needs (CDC.gov, 2014). This website provides critical tools in understanding the nature of disease and its impact on the people in communities throughout the United States (CDC, 2014). In addition, this website supports the continued communication of information regarding Ebola and other events that have made news in recent history (CDC.gov, 2014). The MedlinePlus website, also government-sponsored, provides information in a different context to encourage consumers to evaluate health information across a wider spectrum (MedlinePlus, 2014).

Conclusion

Consumer health information is represented in different forms, through private electronic health records and also via public websites, some of which are reputable and others of which are suspect. This information must be evaluated in detail in order to identify its possible benefits for consumers and their specific health concerns. This evaluation will enable consumers to determine what to take away from this information and how it will impact their lives.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/
Hebda, T. & Czar, P. (2013). Handbook of informatics for nurses and healthcare professionals

(5thEd.) Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
MedlinePlus. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/videosandcooltools.html

National Partnership. (2012). Survey finds that consumers’ value electronic health records, but worries persist. Ponte Verda Beach, Fl. Retrieved from http://www.chiroeco.com/chiropractic/news/1230