The Future of Healthcare Informatics Essay
The Future of Healthcare Informatics Essay
The Future of Healthcare Informatics Essay
The Future of Healthcare Informatics
Nursing and healthcare informatics has become among healthcare organizations’ most essential specialties and departments. Healthcare informatics bridges healthcare technology and the provision of care services. On the other hand, the nursing informaticist plays a significant role in integrating nursing science and information technology. However, with the diversity and development of healthcare technology and information technology in general, the roles of the healthcare informaticist and nursing informaticist may also evolve. Therefore, there is a need to examine the current role and predict the future role, thus plan adequately, and be ready to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge required by the future informaticist. This essay presents the current and future role of the informatics nurse, the concept of connected health, examples of connected health in today’s healthcare environment, and the impact of informatics in public health.
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Current and Future Role of the Informatics Nurse
The central role of the informatics nurse is bridging information technology and nursing activities. Integrating information technology and nursing science includes defining, analyzing, managing, and communicating data and information, wisdom and knowledge into nursing practice. This role requires skills and knowledge in information technology, project management, medical economics, the functioning of a clinical setting, leadership, and data management and analysis.
First and foremost, project management in nursing informatics entails guiding the nursing team on new healthcare technology, including the training and implementation into practice. The nurse informaticist is alert on new healthcare technology and is responsible for alerting the nursing teams on updates with the current technology. The project management team goes hand in hand with leadership since the nurse informaticist is required to engage the interprofessional team, as well as gain support and buy-in from the other relevant stakeholders in implementing healthcare technology. Additionally, research shows that the informatics nurse leverages the knowledge of medical economics and the functioning of the clinical setting, thus helping the institution make the best decision in terms of healthcare technology before implementation (Khezri & Abdekhoda, 2019).
Secondly, the informatics nurse plays the role of data and information analysis. The technological world is ever-evolving, and more and more data on healthcare technology is emerging. The informatics nurse, therefore, analyzes and assesses the quality of data used in the institution, thus offering the institution the best advice on healthcare technology and its use in the current environment, enabling the institution to provide optimal care services.
According to Booth et al. (2021), the role of the informatics nurse is set to evolve with the diversification and evolution of information technology. The future informatics nurse’s roles include overseeing big data in healthcare, mining and interpreting data to enhance better care delivery, advancing nursing practice and population health, and monitoring information technology programs and initiatives in relation to patient care activities. Booth et al. (2021) note that the future informatics nurse will not over-rely on the information technologist to play their role but will have adequate skills to work as a team, depending on the current skills and competencies of nursing informatics. Therefore, the nurse will be equipped to promote advancing nursing practice and population health. Research also shows that the future informatics nurse will be more involved in policy development to improve nursing practice and care services (Honey, Collins & Britnell, 2020).
Connected Health
According to Pattichis and Panayides (2019), connected health is an umbrella term used to lessen the understanding of the definition between telemedicine, telehealth, and Mhealth. Connected health entails a conceptual model for healthcare management, whereby devices, services and healthcare interventions are designed around patient needs, and healthcare-related data is disseminated so that the patient can receive care services more efficiently and proactively. Pattichis and Panayides (2019) note that the stakeholders in the process of healthcare are connected by the accurate and timely sharing of patient data, status, and pertinent information facilitated by the smart use of devices, data, communication platforms and people.
There are various forms of connected health. The three most common examples of connected health include telemedicine, remote patient monitoring systems and telehealth. According to Mubaraki et al. (2021), telemedicine is the provision of remote clinical services using computers or smartphones. Among the benefits of telemedicine to care providers and patients include reduced costs, better and long-term results, and ease of accessing treatment. The disadvantages include the inaccessibility of healthcare services among medically underserved populations and the need for internet and connectivity.
Remote patient monitoring systems allow the care provider to monitor, analyze and report different aspects of the patient’s health from the comfort of their home. The advantages of remote monitoring systems include convenience and saving the patient time and money. However, the disadvantages include possible device breakdown, and missing out on important aspects of patient health,
Another example of the use of connected health is telehealth. Telehealth uses digital information and communication technologies to access healthcare services remotely and manage health. The advantages of telehealth include convenience, saving on costs and time, and the ability to provide health services to patients despite the technological gap. The disadvantages include the limitations of in-person assessments, the possibility of technical hitches, and difficulties in reaching the correct diagnosis.
The Impact of Informatics on Public Health
Informatics has impacted public health in various ways. Williams, Oke & Zachary (2019) notes that informatics has reengineered the delivery of public health to meet the needs and demands of healthcare in the 21st century. For instance, there is an increase in healthcare and population needs and demands, which has mandated public health to invest in workplace development and capacity through education and training in informatics. Therefore, there has also been an increase in the skills and competencies in healthcare informatics following the increased use of healthcare informatics in public health.
Another example of the impact of informatics on public health is the increased efficiency and accuracy of healthcare data. The use of informatics systems and platforms has encouraged the increase of efficiency and accuracy in public health data due to reduced human errors and duplication. Therefore, the public can receive more efficient care services.
Additionally, informatics has improved access to healthcare services in the minority and medically underserved communities through the use of connected health. Information systems are also used for advocacy and health promotion initiatives to prevent major diseases in these communities, improve health and wellness, and enable community members to choose healthy behaviors. Therefore, informatics improves the health of the public.
Conclusion
The current role of the informatics nurse is to integrate the knowledge of information technology and nursing practice. The future role will include policy development to advance nursing practice and public health. Connected health is a term that is used to refer to Mhealth, telehealth and telemedicine. Examples of connected health include telemedicine, telehealth and remote monitoring systems. Informatics has significantly impacted public health, as discussed above.
References
Booth, R. G., Strudwick, G., McBride, S., O’Connor, S., & López, A. L. S. (2021). How the nursing profession should adapt for a digital future. BMJ, 373. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n1190
Honey, M., Collins, E., & Britnell, S. (2020). Education into Policy: Embedding Health Informatics to Prepare Future Nurses-New Zealand Case Study. JMIR Nursing, 3(1), e16186. https://doi.org/10.2196/16186
Khezri, H., & Abdekhoda, M. (2019). Assessing nurses’ informatics competency and identifying its related factors. Journal of Research in Nursing, 24(7), 529-538. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987119839453
Mubaraki, A. A., Alrabie, A. D., Sibyani, A. K., Aljuaid, R. S., Bajaber, A. S., & Mubaraki, M. A. (2021). Advantages and disadvantages of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic era among physicians in Taif, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Medical Journal, 42(1), 110.
Pattichis, C. S., & Panayides, A. S. (2019). Connected health. Frontiers in Digital Health, 1, 1. https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2019.00001
Williams, F., Oke, A., & Zachary, I. (2019). Public health delivery in the information age: the role of informatics and technology. Perspectives in Public Health, 139(5), 236–254. https://doi.org/10.1177/1757913918802308
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Assignment Description:
The Future of Healthcare Informatics
Write an essay addressing each of the following points/questions. Be sure to completely answer all the questions for each number item. There should be three sections, one for each item number below, as well the introduction (heading is the title of the essay) and conclusion paragraphs. Separate each section in your paper with a clear heading that allows your professor to know which bullet you are addressing in that section of your paper. Support your ideas with at least three (3) scholarly citations using APA citations in your essay. Make sure to reference the citations using the APA writing style for the essay. The cover page and reference page do not count towards the minimum word amount. Review the rubric criteria for this assignment.
Identify the current role of the informatics nurse and predict the future role of the informatics nurse, based on scholarly sources.
Explain what is meant by connected health. Provide three examples of connected health in today’s healthcare environment. Explain the benefits and drawbacks of each.
In what ways has informatics impacted public health – please provide at least three examples
