Computerized Information Systems in Healthcare - Research Paper Example

?Computerized Information Systems in Healthcare Contents Introduction 2 Research Question 5 Literature Review 5 Hypotheses 8 Findings 8 Conclusion 10 Works Cited 14 Computerized Information Systems in Healthcare Introduction The computer has become an integral part of human life and younger people cannot even imagine a life without handheld and shouldered devices. In many cultures technology is not liked and it is understood as something that is eroding ethical standards. According to many studies the costs of technology are much lesser than its benefits. In a major number of cases the force of entropy overcomes that of evolution and humans end up managing the old routine. Thus the support towards new ideas becomes somewhat limited and therefore the visionaries are laughed at. Yet with the passage of time people understand the need for change and they take on the journey of evolution once again. Nevertheless in the case of medical science people are managing the outdated routines but still some of them have embraced technology and using it on a personal level. It is not much to talk about but surely it is the sign of change’s initiation that will become something important in the near future. The use of information systems in several walks of life has made scientific development possible in human history. The effective decision making is only possible if humans have correct and reliable information. Historically the wrong decisions are made because false information was used in order to make them. However in computer age false data cannot be entered easily because of new techniques of computer and network security such as password protection, Deoxyribonucleic acid recognition and even fingerprinting. A few years back it was the general consensus that deployment of modern computer technology is required only in the military. But this mindset is going through significant changes nowadays. The intellectual change is helping other sciences in benefitting from advances in management information systems. Nevertheless the use of technology was not appreciated in medicine in the past. But now medical practitioners are the ones who welcome every new intervention wholeheartedly as they became aware of the fact the technology helps them in helping the humanity. The application of ultrasound, DNA replication, elimination of disease at a genetic level and acceptance of surface computing are just few remarkable examples of technology integration in healthcare. The technology is not at all stopping in above mentioned forms only because the force of evolution will keep on pushing forward. The medical science has evolved from the dark ages when death was considered sacred and therefore it was accepted as something inevitable while interfering with it was considered a sin. Yet with the passage of time humans began to realize that death can be stopped or perhaps delayed and then the concept of prolongation of human life was transformed into a cornerstone of medical philosophy. The application and understanding of medical technology are prerequisites of practicing medicine in the era of the 21st century. In developing countries the technology is not being used to its full extent but developed nations are using it to enhance life expectancy of their population. Additionally the increased sense of hygiene and cleanliness is playing a noticeable role in decreasing the disease in modern cultures whereas the sense of commitment towards a healthy lifestyle is significantly lower in less evolved communities. Developing nations on the other hand are importing the medical technology from developed ones and therefore the indigenous development of technology is non-existent in less developed nations. Along with all the mentioned factors people in less developed nations are getting less and less committed towards learning new things and due to this reason whole nations are suffering from the status quo. The presence of status quo is contributing towards strengthening the old ways and new methods and techniques are not even given a chance to propagate. In this way developed nations are forging their way towards space age while the undeveloped countries are fighting religious fights. Additionally the development of modern technology is an expensive business and therefore it is closely related to the economic situation of a country. The educational institutions are supposed to conduct research and development activities whereas corporate sector of the nation converts research into commercialized products. In the light of above argument only those countries can support innovation that has a strengthened corporate sector or sufficient government finances that can be used for commercialization of new products. So that entire society can benefit from them. Thus it can be established that innovation can only come from economically strong nations and others have to import the equipment. The basic and fundamental objective of this study is to explain the application and use of information systems in healthcare. In recent years the use of integrated management information systems has grown rapidly that developed a web of information. The web allows doctors and other medical professionals to gather knowledge about the previous treatments and illnesses that a patient has gone through. The availability of knowledge helps doctors in developing an aligned treatment with previous ones. The joint information system also allows doctors to decide the treatment without conducting intensive tests. Thus the new information storage system is causing healthcare institutions in driving down the costs while decreasing their response rates towards medical emergencies. The medical science that denied the use of technology is early days is finally realizing its importance and value. Interestingly the use of technology made the science of medicine simpler because an ordinary educated person (if superficially trained) can run and understand the results of many state of the art medical tests perhaps, the cliche that a pure knowledge is presentable in an elementary form has become a reality. The modern knowledge spreads with the help of teamwork because the machine developed by a scientist is used by a practitioner that warrants integration and sharing of information between visionaries and operational managers. The technology companies are also considering the betterment of medical information systems as the part of their corporate social responsibility. But in a real sense the overall application and usefulness of information systems is limited due to poor comprehension and understanding of technology. The problem can be solved by training the staff. The notion of information sharing supported the development of neural networks that help professionals to input their opinions about a particular problem and the computer algorithms decipher the final solution based on the information given. Nonetheless information systems can work best in open societies where people are quite willing to share their knowledge with others. Unfortunately in cultures where people keep what they know to themselves are hardly worthy of top dollar investment in infrastructure because information management system is meaningless if being processed data is faulty at best. This research study will evaluate and discuss the factors that compelled humans towards developing medical information systems. Research Question The basic and fundamental question that this study will attempt to answer is as follows Q. What is the role of information technology regarding promoting patient centric healthcare? Literature Review According to Goldschmidt, (2005) healthcare industry of the world has failed to understand and comprehend the value of technology and therefore it is pretty much slower in terms of adopting new way of doing the old things. Modern doctors and other medical related personnels are quite satisfied with using technology but senior staff is somehow holding the old grudge with technology dear. In the view of Kim, & Michelman (1990) the effective use of computer and information technology can help health facilities in gaining an edge over the competitors. The hospitals that use information technology as a means of cutting down the response times to emergencies will be receiving more governmental funding. However, the hospitals should not indulge themselves into a competitive warfare because it will deprive the society of basic health care that is a right of every human being. Rindfleisch, (1997) added that the use of more strict network protection system would be needed for an ideal level of implementation of information technology in healthcare. Nonetheless the application of intranet is warranted so that no outsider can gain entry in the system. Furthermore the definition of several levels of security clearance will keep the information level according to the seniority of each and every employee.. Chau, & Hu, (2002) revealed the fact that patients are being able to consult their physicians and doctors via internet technologies and therefore the former group can get help while sitting in their homes. The minor diseases such as flu or a mild temperature can be treated on an electronic channel. The use of modern techniques will drive down the costs of medical practice and will expand availability of medical services for many individuals in the near future. The general idea is to keep critically ill patients in hospitals whereas treating minor cases on a secured channel. Melville, Kraemer, & Gurbaxani, (2004) stated that information technology is an expensive strategic tool. But in the long run prospective information technology provides managers and leaders with real time data that they usually use to make timely strategic and operation level decisions. In case of medical practices it is vital to identify the disease of the patient. The technology can run automated scans while giving doctors sufficient time to decipher the treatments. The technology is indeed lowering the workload of modern medical staff. The problem remains that doctors have a profound tendency to misinterpret the information and make a mistake. Walker, Pan, Johnston, Adler-Milstein, Bates, & Middleton, (2005) supported the belief that information technology can drive down the costs of medical services whereas integrated management information system can help them in make case histories of every patient available on the web. The above mentioned step will reduce the need to run expensive tests in order to find the disease. It is because doctors will have the knowledge about previous illnesses and therefore will explore the chances of any aggravation of existing problems before going into wild goost chase of new ones. Devaraj, & Kohli, (2003) urged that the real use of technology will help the medical organizations in attaining cost advantages and real time data. Mere implementation of latest technology is not going to assist in gaining a competitive edge. The major message of this citation is the need for training employees before bringing technology to the organizational level. Additionally according to change management scholars the organizations should bring technological changes on the step by step basis. Bates & Gawande, (2003) told that the information systems in medical facilities should be kept sealed with the help of modern computer and network security techniques. The installment of latest antivirus software is also warranted while ensuring the development and protection of hospital’s intranet so that it should remain cut off from the rest of the e-world. The nursing and other medical staff should be guided not to volunteer any information about the condition of any patient so that the oath of secrecy can remain intact. Chau & Hu, (2001) stated that doctors are using information technology on a personal level. Yet the acceptance of information systems at an institutional level is not significant and because of this cause medics are often found to be feeling extremely reluctant towards integrating technology as an essential part of their job. Taylor & Todd, (1995) recommended the use of Planned Behavior Theory in order to make technology more acceptable in modern medical world. However the medical facilities are supposed to conduct intensive briefing sessions where people are told about benefits of using technology. Hypotheses Following are the hypotheses of this study Ho: The use of information technology is playing a significant role in promoting patient centric healthcare Hi: The use of information technology is not playing a significant role in promoting patient centric healthcare Findings The key findings of the study are enlisted below This paper found that information technology is being implemented on a limited scale and therefore medical science is not benefitting from it on a fuller extent The information systems have the ability to drive down the costs of medical organizations The medical practitioners feel reluctant to use information systems while performing their jobs The medical professionals are in need of intensive training in advanced techniques of data management The medical information systems should be tightly encrypted in order to uphold the privacy of the patients The hospitals must also ensure to integrate their information systems with each other so that all of the facilities can reduce their response rate to the emergency The hospitals with the help of integrated management information system will enable doctors to gather knowledge about patients’ condition without running expensive tests. According to many researchers medical facilities should brief their staff about benefits of using information technology while conducting the jobs The hospital management should also support the development of medical web service with the help of that doctors can find cure to the diseases by sharing knowledge The medical information systems should be used in those cultures where people are more than willing to share their knowledge and information with others because without information the information system is meaningless to say the least The medical professionals are noted to be using information technology on personal and private basis but institutionalized use is rarely observed The companies that consider information technology as an integral part of their business strategy reap up significant cost advantage in the longer run The medical services providers are notably noticed to use telemedicine because it allows them to reduce cost of accommodating patients whereas hospital space is only reserved for critical patients Suggestions and Recommendations The suggestions and recommendations of this study are enlisted below This paper suggests to hospitals to implement information systems with following one step at a time so that people can catch their breath and will also not be overwhelmed with the speed of change The technological change should also include employees because it will make them feel important and in the longer run organization can avoid the blame game as well The hospital staff is found to be the intellectual cream of the society therefore they will not accept any new way of doing things without a compelling proof and reason In the light of above statement it is suggested to keep medical staff informed about the change in order to avoid chaos The technological change should be brought on an operational level so that people can logically understand each and every step of it The nationwide integration of medical information system is need of an hour at current time because it will provide a basis for development of standard operating procedures for counteracting common illnesses Neural networks on the other hand will play a notable hand in supporting the process of research and development in the medical field Humans should work towards eliminating causes of diseases such as pollution, contaminated water and breakage in ozone layer Conclusion This paper concludes that information technology is not playing a significant role in promoting patient centric healthcare. Thus this study rejects the initial hypothesis and is inclined to accept the subsequent one. The results of this study have profound impacts of modern day medical practices. The research points out towards the need of developing an integrated medical information system without which the whole idea of information management is flawed. It is because of the belief that books, webs and even people posses information and these pieces of information transform into knowledge when used for the purpose of serving humans. However in current age there is no system that can be used to gather and disseminate information among medical professionals. Many prior studies suggested an integrative model of medical information system on nationwide level but this study recommends a global system of information sharing so that whole of the humanity can benefit from scientific knowledge. The time is nearing when humans have to consider themselves as the citizens of the world. This kind of thinking is going to provide last chance of survival for humanity because the challenges they face are international and no country alone can manage them. Finally developed countries have the responsibility of sharing the technology and knowledge with developing ones so that an entire human race can have the advantages of scientific development. Annotated Bibliography Bates, D., & Gawande, A. (2003). Patient Safety Improving Safety with Information Technology . New England Journal of Medicine Vol 348(25) , pp.2526-2534. This paper contributed towards highlighting the need of higher ethical practices in medical science because the ability to keep a secret is deforming in people of 21st century as they are becoming more and more addicted to share their and other’s personal lives on social media Chau, P., & Hu, P. (2001). Information Technology Acceptance by Individual Professionals: A Model Comparison Approach . Decision Sciences Vol 32(4) , pp.699-719. This paper suggests that advanced training in the database management is highly recommendable for medical professionals all over the world. Chau, P., & Hu, P. (2002). Investigating healthcare professionals’ decisions to accept telemedicine technology: an empirical test of competing theories. Information & Management Vol 39(1) , pp.297-311. This paper appreciated the growing acceptability of e-medicine in developed nations. Devaraj, S., & Kohli, R. (2003). Performance Impacts of Information Technology: Is Actual Usage the Missing Link? Management Science Vol 49(3) , pp.273-289. This paper suggested the companies must sponsor operational level enhancements rather than introducing newer technology every now and then because it will allow the employees to logically understand the change while they can also comprehend its application and usage. Goldschmidt, P. (2005). HIT and MIS: Implications of Health Information Technology and Medical Information Systems. Communications of the ACH Vol 48(10) , pp.69-74. This source highlighted the problems and difficulties that information technology faced while making its ways in healthcare. The overall situation and technological outlook of healthcare industry is improving and people finally understand its importance. Still the healthcare organizations are suggested to provide on the job computer training to medics whereas trainees should also be taught how to use technology Kim, K., & Michelman, J. (1990). An Examination of Factors for the Strategic Use of Information Systems in the Healthcare Industry. North Florida: Accounting and Finance Faculty Publications, University of North Florida. This paper highlighted the fact that hospitals must use state of the art technology in daily operations so that the process of evolution should remain on its course. Melville, N., Kraemer, K., & Gurbaxani, V. (2004). Information Technology and Organizational Performance: An Integrative Model of IT Business Value. California : Center for Research on Information Technology and Organizations, University of California. This paper also highlighted the importance of training the medical staff in advanced computing. Rindfleisch, T. (1997). Confidentiality, Information Technology, and Health Care. Communications of the ACM Vol 40(8) , pp.92-100. This study made a note about possible dangers associated with electronically storing medical data. The paper on the other hand appreciated the wide scale acceptance of information technology in recent years. Taylor, S., & Todd, P. (1995). Understanding Information Technology Usage:A Test of Competing Models. Information Systems Research Vol 6(2) , pp.144-176. This paper also highlighted the importance of training the medical staff about using latest technology. Walker, J., Pan, E., Johnston, D., Adler-Milstein, J., Bates, D., & Middleton, B. (2005). The Value Of Health Care Information Exchange And Interoperability. Health Affairs. This paper suggested the implementation of countrywide medical information system in order to make medical services more efficient in terms of saving and bettering life. Works Cited Bates, D., & Gawande, A. (2003). Patient Safety Improving Safety with Information Technology . New England Journal of Medicine Vol 348(25) , pp.2526-2534. Chau, P., & Hu, P. (2001). Information Technology Acceptance by Individual Professionals: A Model Comparison Approach . Decision Sciences Vol 32(4) , pp.699-719. Chau, P., & Hu, P. (2002). Investigating healthcare professionals’ decisions to accept telemedicine technology: an empirical test of competing theories. Information & Management Vol 39(1) , pp.297-311. Devaraj, S., & Kohli, R. (2003). Performance Impacts of Information Technology: Is Actual Usage the Missing Link? Management Science Vol 49(3) , pp.273-289. Goldschmidt, P. (2005). HIT and MIS: Implications of Health Information Technology and Medical Information Systems. Communications of the ACH Vol 48(10) , pp.69-74. Kim, K., & Michelman, J. (1990). An Examination of Factors for the Strategic Use of Information Systems in the Healthcare Industry. North Florida: Accounting and Finance Faculty Publications, University of North Florida. Melville, N., Kraemer, K., & Gurbaxani, V. (2004). Information Technology and Organizational Performance: An Integrative Model of IT Business Value. California : Center for Research on Information Technology and Organizations, University of California . Rindfleisch, T. (1997). Confidentiality, Information Technology, and Health Care. Communications of the ACM Vol 40(8) , pp.92-100. Taylor, S., & Todd, P. (1995). Understanding Information Technology Usage:A Test of Competing Models. Information Systems Research Vol 6(2) , pp.144-176. Walker, J., Pan, E., Johnston, D., Adler-Milstein, J., Bates, D., & Middleton, B. (2005). The Value Of Health Care Information Exchange And Interoperability. Health Affairs . Read More