It’s Getting Harder to Follow the Money, Coursework Example

Introduction

Information technology is a driving force in many areas of healthcare practice and demonstrates the importance of facilitating communication between providers and their patients. This practice requires an understanding of the different elements which comprise information-technology-based healthcare offerings (Kovner & Knickman, 2011). The use of these technologies requires a series of elements that support new directions in healthcare practice that also support website development and usability in supporting patient information and knowledge. It is also important to identify specific factors that influence healthcare utilization, based upon the information that is available via websites and other tools.

Analysis

Access to health information in a mobile format requires that the public receives accurate knowledge, but this is not always the case, thereby creating an environment in which there are limiting factors that impact the utilization of healthcare resources in an effective manner (Milstead, 2013). Although Facebook and Twitter also provide access to health information, unless the sources are reputable, they are not likely to provide the type of knowledge that will guide consumers in learning more about health in different ways. Depending on the original source of the knowledge, this information may or may not be reputable and provide an accurate portrayal of the facts involving a healthcare issue. Furthermore some websites may be sponsored by big pharma or other businesses, thereby minimizing the knowledge that is available across some social media sites (Chicago Sun-Times, 2013).

Conclusion

The Affordable Care Act has been instrumental in shaping outcomes across many areas of healthcare practice; therefore, it requires a strong level of support to ensure that the information shared is accurate and appropriate. Therefore, technology-based solutions must be evaluated in order to determine if they are effective and appropriate in meeting consumer and patient needs.

References

It’s getting harder to follow the money. (2013). Retrieved from www.suntimes.com/opinions/23992663-474/its-getting-harder-to-follow-the-money.html

Kovner, A. R., & Knickman, J. R. (2011). The current U.S. health care system. Health care delivery in the United States, 10^th Edition. New York: Springer Publishing.

Milstead, J. A. (2013). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide, 4^th Edition. Sudbury: Jones and Bartlett.