Digital Divide in Healthcare - Research Paper Example

Digital Divide in Healthcare Introduction The access to information and communication technologies in countries thatare still developing can have a profound effect on the healthcare of these nations in that it can provide opportunities for growth, empowerment and the sharing of important knowledge. The implication of this statement is that although the provision of healthcare may have benefits that may be enjoyed for the short term, the closing of the digital divide between the developed and the developing countries remains by far the most important way of bridging the gap in the provision of healthcare in any given nation. The healthcare industry therefore provides a perfect example of how information and communication technology can be used to increase the accessibility of healthcare through the distribution of a greater number of health services to a greater number of people (Men). Therefore, if a person is left behind in the race for the digital divide, there are serious consequences that may not be recoverable on the face of it. The importance of access to information and communication technology cannot be gainsaid as it enables the citizens in the developing nations to be properly empowered that helps in spurring economic growth. This can be achieved through increased access to educational materials and services, means of educating others within the world, greater credibility to the researches that are carried out which ultimately leads to the narrowing of the gaps between nations. This allows the citizens in the developing nations to become part of the world or the web of humanity that allows every person to depend on the other for survival. Information and Communication Technologies in Healthcare Historical Background of the Problem One may wonder the need for information and communication technology in developing countries where most people die from such issues such as malnutrition, starvation as well as HIV/AIDS, which is a scourge. This question is closely connected to the often-wondered aspect of some countries having different healthcare issues as compared to others yet we all exist within the same globe. One may ask why these countries have limited finances and primitive healthcare systems while others have abundant finances and well advanced healthcare systems. I suggest that the answer lies on information in terms of accessing it or sharing it and how great the divide is between those who have the finances as compared to those who do not have it. Davies (51) therefore argues that merely focusing on the problems associated with healthcare in developing countries is missing the point, and there is therefore the need to discover the root cause of the problem and make it a priority in trying to bridge the digital divide Digital Divide in Healthcare The huge digital divide between these developed and developing nations has led to a scenario where the world is divided into two distinct portions each disconnected from the other in terms of healthcare. This results into a situation whereby the developed world has possession of the relevant information as compared to the developing world and this is shown through the financial muscle and power in the healthcare system. Access to the relevant information also translates to more financial power and money and the more there is a disparity in such resources, the divide becomes even larger. The developed countries therefore seem more superior and despite the breakthrough in healthcare by the developing countries in terms of healthcare, their efforts are usually ignored or given little value by the concerned developed nations. This means that if the digital divide can be bridged, then the benefits that would be derived can change the health situations of nations that are in the developing world. Although, the citizen may receive plentiful information about the infallibility of science especially medical science, there is little information about death due to hospitalization or through conventional medical treatment through drugs supplied by the pharmaceutical companies (De Brito, 99). All this support our argument that making the health services a priority does not help in bridging the divide in bringing healthier populations and lends credence that developed nations having a control on healthcare systems does not help the developing nations. Every person in any given country is usually at risk from various threats, hazards, pests or parasites in his environment or where he lives. However, the distinguishing factor among people in developing countries and those in the developed world is that those in developed countries have access to information and this helps them know how to avoid the risks or the threats and how to manage them. Werner (170) in his research has shown that the poor health among citizens of developing countries is directly related to the lack of access to information on what affects the daily lives of the individuals. Such issues include simple matters such as personal and environmental hygiene, alcohol, tobacco, narcotics, feeding of infants among other matters concerning healthcare. He therefore argues that if an ordinary citizen in these developing countries could be provided with simple and clear information, it would be possible to treat the most common health problems experienced by the individuals at cheaper and faster rates than the conventional medical care. This means that the basic health care of any individual should be encouraged and not delivered when it is too late as well as the sharing of medical knowledge in a free manner. The citizens of the developing countries are usually disempowered by the digital divide perpetrated by the developed countries, as they are involved in the making of the most important decisions such as those concerning healthcare especially the funding. There is considerable support that the provision of adequate information through access to information and communication technology can make a considerable impact in healthcare development (Martin, 195). It is therefore important to select the most appropriate technologies that address the needs and the circumstances of a nation as well as addressing the matter of funding and education on how to benefit from the technology. The leadership in the countries that the technology is set should be allowed to play a key role in the setting up and the implementation of these technologies, as they are the ones who understand these technologies. There is also the need for a compromise between the developed countries and the developing ones in order to change the divide in the healthcare system for the better health of all humans. Melody in the groundbreaking work “Communication Policy in the Global Information Economy: Wither the Public Interest?” suggests that the chief function of post-industrial economics is dependent on the major sections of the society not having possession of enough skills and knowledge as well as information in order to exercise their rights in a full manner (Melody, 34). Therefore, if every person were aware of the benefits that are entitled or accrue to them by virtue of being human beings, the public healthcare systems would be overwhelmed by the demand for services by those that are concerned. Additionally, if every citizen knew of the adverse effects of the products and services offered by the producers of these products and services, then they would run bankrupt, as their sales would go down due to reduced purchase by the consumers. It is this contradicting and unfortunate situation that those with the financial capability and make the all important decisions such as the United States and Europe find themselves in as they control such bodies like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (Werner, 170). The above usually occurs because the developed nations use their influence to protect their interests and those of the corporations that are situated within their countries to trash the healthcare interests of citizens found in developing countries. Ironically, the industries that have an adverse effect on the health of members of the public such as the tobacco and alcohol producing industries amongst others target these developing countries which are seen as more vulnerable due to lack of information. This cements the argument that it is just in order to keep the citizens of these developing nations uninformed in order to drive their businesses and shore up their profits. Through the intervention of the Western-controlled World Health Organization (WHO), the pharmaceutical products produced from the Western countries are usually promoted in the developing countries however ineffective they are (Ekins, 167). For example in the cure of cancer and HIV/AIDS, it has been concluded that despite higher spending on healthcare services associated with the aforementioned diseases, there has been no marked change in the healthcare and the attendant results. Challenges and the Efforts A question may be asked on what happens in the developing nations and what efforts the nations are undertaking to help themselves. The questions that should also be asked are what are the persons with the ability to access information doing and whether there is any other form of health system that can play a role in the healthcare system. The alternative medicine has also not taken root or proved in terms of efficacy in these developing nations and therefore it becomes difficult to promote it, fund it or distribute it showing that it is not easily acceptable to citizens (Ekins, 190). This situation may at times be aggravated when the developing countries develop their research that is distinct from the developed world but needs the financial support of these nations to develop, promote or market the healthcare product. It has also been proven that the major international organizations and corporations may not be willing to promote a product if it has not had the backing of the Western world (Ekins, 167). This shows a total disregard of the traditional healthcare provided by the developing countries, which the developed world also wants, that must be revalidated. The researchers in these developing nations also find it difficult to get the resources that are required to develop reputable healthcare products and services that are provided by the developed world. This means that medicines or products developed in these developing countries are always deemed as useless and at times labeled as dangerous and this perpetuates the belief that developing countries do not have the knowledge to develop healthcare products. This gives the developed nations to falsely vilify and control the healthcare system in the world. It also gives the wrong perception that the provision of healthcare is the immediate priority while the real problem lies in the accessibility of information on healthcare systems. Through access to information and communication technology and a presence within the internet, the developing nations can change the perception that the developed nations in the Western world have of them and build close relationships for the betterment of healthcare. This could incorporate the alternative medicine with the more advanced healthcare systems in order to have more affordable and viable healthcare system. . Both Werner and Ekins are of the opinion that poor health does not usually result from the scarcity of resources but comes about due to the poor distribution of resources, knowledge and the power, which are controlled by a few elites. This means that only education can be a sure means of bridging the digital divide as it gives the concerned individual the freedom (Mandela and Winfrey, 24). Conclusion It is important that the developing nations are brought back to the fold of nations and are made part of the revolution in terms of technology and most importantly the sharing of information, knowledge, culture and research. This also helps in re-establishing the citizens of these nations as members of the society who are credible enough with a reputation that can transcend the medical field just as the developed nations. The access to information and communication technologies will also lead to the empowerment of these nations for the improvement of healthcare. It is my belief that by narrowing and reducing the digital divide between the developing and the developed world, there will be greater effect on the healthcare systems in these nations. For equitable development of the healthcare system in the world, there is need to have a system that easily shares information and does not bring about the competing interests of developed and developing nations that may lead to a further widening of the digital divide. Works Cited Davies, Sara E. Global Politics of Health. Cambridge, UK: Polity, 2009. Print. De Brito, Kate, "How we can take control of our own healing" in The Sunday Telegraph. Sydney: News Limited. May 20 2001 Ekins, Paul. A New World Order: Grassroots Movements for Global Change. London: Routledge, 1992. Print. Martin, W.J, "Global information flows: content and context" in his The Global Information Society 2nd Rev. ed Aslib/Gower, Aldershot, 1995. Mandela Nelson, Winfrey Oprah, "Oprah talks to Nelson Mandela" in O Magazine. New York: Hearst Communications April. 2001. Men, Jessica. Mind the gap: healthcare technology bridges digital divide. 2014. (Web). Available at http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/blog/mind-gap-healthcare-technology-bridges-digital-divide/ (Accessed February 25, 2014). Werner, David. Where There Is No Doctor: A Village Health Care Handbook for Africa. Basingstoke: Macmillan, 1993. Print. Read More