Nursing Informatics - Chapter 6 Part 2

Summary

This script explores the growing role of consumer health applications, focusing on two major types: decision support applications and disease management applications. Decision support apps guide users through decision trees based on symptoms, while disease management apps, like telehealth and telemedicine, connect users to healthcare providers. The script highlights both the benefits, such as accessibility and convenience, and challenges, including information quality, security, and accessibility issues. It emphasizes the need for user-centered design, especially for older adults and those with disabilities, to ensure these apps are accessible, informative, and supportive in the healthcare journey.

Takeaways

• 😀 Decision support applications provide decision-making trees based on symptoms entered by users, offering basic advice on whether to seek medical attention or treat at home.
• 😀 Disease management applications, such as telehealth and telemedicine, connect patients with healthcare providers for remote consultations and caregiving services, improving healthcare access and convenience.
• 😀 Information-seeking applications allow patients to look up health information online, but the reliability of websites varies, with peer-reviewed sites being more trustworthy than generalized ones like WebMD.
• 😀 Telehealth and telemedicine services are available 24/7, offering accessible healthcare solutions for patients and families through online communication platforms such as Zoom, Skype, and Viber.
• 😀 Personal health records (PHR) apps help patients store and manage their health data, promoting greater involvement in their own healthcare as more people become health-conscious.
• 😀 Despite their advantages, consumer health applications face challenges like the variability of information quality, security issues, and uneven access due to age, socioeconomic, and educational factors.
• 😀 Elderly individuals may struggle with technology, making it harder for them to use health applications effectively. This demographic requires apps that are easy to navigate and understand.
• 😀 The design of health applications must include features for accessibility, such as colorblind modes and text-to-speech functions, to cater to people with disabilities.
• 😀 Health applications should include a 'translation layer' that converts complex medical jargon into simpler language for better understanding by patients with varying health literacy levels.
• 😀 Consumer health applications empower patients to become active participants in their healthcare, but this may lead to them questioning healthcare providers, making education and clarification essential for medical professionals.

Q & A

What are the two major types of consumer health applications mentioned in the script?

The two major types of consumer health applications are decision support applications and disease management applications.

How do decision support applications work?

Decision support applications provide decision-making trees based on user-inputted symptoms. These trees guide users on whether to seek further medical attention or treat symptoms at home.

What is a limitation of decision support applications?

A limitation of decision support applications is that they only provide basic information due to the lack of a complete patient assessment, which may push users to seek further medical advice from a licensed professional.

What is a key feature of disease management applications like telehealth?

Telehealth applications enable users to easily access healthcare providers remotely. They facilitate interactions such as connecting patients with caregivers or referring nurses to hospitals, offering convenience and accessibility.

How do telemedicine applications improve patient care?

Telemedicine applications offer 24/7 access to healthcare providers, allowing patients to consult doctors or specialists remotely, improving the convenience and speed of healthcare delivery.

What is the challenge with online health information searching?

The challenge with online health information is that reliability varies greatly, with some websites offering accurate information while others provide generalized or unreliable content.

What websites are considered reliable for health information?

Reliable health websites include Healthline and Medscape, as they provide peer-reviewed, research-backed information. WebMD is somewhat reliable but can be too generalized.

What are online support groups used for?

Online support groups provide assistance and community for individuals dealing with issues like depression, suicide, or alcoholism. These groups offer a platform for emotional support and advice.

What is a personal health record (PHR) application?

A personal health record (PHR) application allows individuals to store and manage their own health information. Examples include apps like MyChart, which help patients maintain their medical history.

What are the issues in consumer health applications as mentioned in the script?

Issues include variability in information quality, lack of security in internet-based transactions, uneven accessibility across different groups, and challenges related to education and cultural barriers, especially for elderly users or those with disabilities.