Consumer Health Informatics, Coursework Example

Healthcare informatics provides opportunities for professionals to work efficiently to accommodate patients through improved records management and data collection to improve outcomes (USF Health, 2014). According to the American Medical Informatics Association, there are a variety of components of health informatics, and one area involves consumer health and the ability of patients to have access to data that will enable them to make informed decisions regarding their own health (2014). Computerized physician order entry (CPOE) systems often contribute to improvements in efficiency that impact patient wellbeing, and this is accomplished through an organized effort to minimize errors and prevent patient risks as much as possible (Khajouei et.al, 2011). Furthermore, CPOE systems are designed to facilitate improvements in accessing information by clinicians effectively; however, training must be comprehensive and ongoing technical support must be available (Khajouei et.al, 2011).

Van Doormaal et.al (2010) demonstrate that CPOE systems enhance medication safety and provide an additional level of oversight regarding user training and system utilization. Implementation of any new CPOE system requires a level of support and guidance from the IT team so that all users are sufficiently trained and have the technical support that is required to maximize system benefits (Van Doormaal et.al, 2010). Most importantly, there must be a system in place that is able to accommodate users effectively and contain sufficient resources to support system and patient-based needs (Van Doormaal et.al, 2010).

Health informatics requires an ongoing approach that is grounded in innovation and expert knowledge of the resources that are available to users via websites and user manuals. In this capacity, healthcare providers must be able to recognize system benefits and support system expansion and utilization on an as-needed basis in order to accommodate healthcare and patient needs in a comprehensive manner.

References

American Medical Informatics Association (2014). Consumer health informatics. Retrieved from  http://www.amia.org/applications-informatics/consumer-health-informatics

Khajouei, R., Wierenga, P. C., Hasman, A., & Jaspers, M. W. (2011). Clinicians satisfaction with CPOE ease of use and effect on clinicians’ workflow, efficiency and medication safety. International journal of medical informatics, 80(5), 297-309.

USF Health (2014). What is health informatics? Retrieved from http://www.usfhealthonline.com/resources/healthcare/what-is-health-informatics/#.VEqSR2ddVjQ

Van Doormaal, J. E., Mol, P. G., Zaal, R. J., Van Den Bemt, P. M., Kosterink, J. G., Vermeulen, M., & Haaijer?Ruskamp, F. M. (2010). Computerized physician order entry (CPOE) system: expectations and experiences of users.Journal of evaluation in clinical practice,16(4), 738-743.