Patient Care with Health Technology

Implementing Healthcare Technology solutions is not only a necessity for practices but also for patients. According to a recent study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins University Evidence-Based Practice Center, the application of healthcare IT actually contributes in extending the life span of patients. The study was based on 327 published articles examining results of health IT tools used in implementing patient-centered care. The study concluded with a report released by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, on June 14, 2012, wherein they found that “[s]ubstantial evidence exists confirming that health IT applications with patient-centered care-related components have a positive effect on health care outcomes.” Thus, technology has helped patients effectively manage and monitor their healthcare.

“Technology by itself does not improve care, but patient-centered care does require health IT” said, Washington-based health IT consultant, MaryAnne Sterling.

Technology has become an important part of the documentation process both for the healthcare professionals and the service provider. One of the added benefits of availing specialty services is the benefit gained by the use of technology used by the service provider.

Fig. Patient-Centered Care & Technology Come Together

According to a new study, Americans who have access to their health information through Personal Health Records (PHR) report that they know more about their health, ask more questions, and take better care of themselves than when their health information was less accessible to them in paper records, according to a ground-breaking study released today by the California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF).

Personal Health Record (PHR) is the combined information related to health that is stored and managed by an individual. Today, it is also commonly known as, Personal Health Diary, Patient Health Record, or Personal Medical Records. Patients can easily manage their personal health records like demographic information, appointment history, lab test result, outsourcing balances and claim history, payment reports that is available any time and from any internet ready computer.