What are Consumer Health IT Applications?
The U.S. government's Agency for Healthcare and Research Quality (AHRQ) generally defines Consumer Health IT applications as ''a wide range of hardware, software, and Web-based applications that allow patients to participate in their own health care via electronic means.'' Patients can use different types of applications to manage their health; the most common systems are self-management systems, telemedicine, and patient portals.
Self-Management Systems
Chronically ill patients and their families can independently and pro-actively deal with their health by using self-management systems. For example, patients with diabetes are required to manage their blood glucose level. Utilizing an application such as Glooko allows patients to upload their readings via wireless devices, Bluetooth, infrared, or a cable. This type of technology allows for better interactions between patients and healthcare providers because patients are able to accurately report their blood glucose levels, which allows healthcare professionals to provide proper intervention.
Patient Portal
Many healthcare facilities have adopted the use of patient portals. Patient portals are convenient to use because patients can view their healthcare data anytime and anywhere. They can look at various information such as recent doctor visits, clinical summaries, medications, immunizations, patient education materials and lab results. Many applications also allow patients to communicate with their healthcare provider via a secure messaging system to ask questions, renew/refill prescriptions, and update demographic information. In addition to viewing information, patients can also print out documentation from the patient portal. An example of this type of application is Epic's MyChart.
Telemedicine
Telemedicine allows a patient to be treated by their physician remotely. This service is utilized by patients who have a non-emergency need such as follow-up visits, consultations, and medication review appointments. An example is UnitedHealthcare's dr+ on demand, which allows the healthcare provider to discuss a patient's history, symptoms, and complete an exam via cell phone, tablet, or computer. This benefits a patient who may need to see a healthcare provider but cannot make it to a healthcare provider's office because of schedule restrictions or lack of transportation.
- Improves communication between patient and healthcare providers.
- Patients are able to take an active role in their healthcare because they are able to view all their healthcare information at their fingertips and make immediate informed decisions.
- Provides convenience to patients by allowing patients to gain instant access to their information anytime and anywhere.
- Saves healthcare providers time by being able to communicate with the patient via secure message system to answer questions, renew prescriptions, and deliver test results information.
Lesson Summary
Healthcare technology continues to revolutionize healthcare through the use of Consumer IT Applications. Consumers are now able to play a more active role in their healthcare by having 24/7 access to their information by utilizing patient portal applications. Additionally, patients can manage chronic illnesses/conditions by using self-management systems, which allow patients to import results from home monitoring. Telemedicine allows for patients to receive medical care remotely.
Adopting consumer IT applications can help improve communication between patients and healthcare professionals as well as other healthcare providers which eventually saves time and increases efficiency. Also, these help patients to more conveniently and actively participate in their healthcare.
