The health industry accounts for the largest disparities in terms of communication, with either extreme casualties whenever this happens. To a large extent many, many medical practitioners do not have the required communication skills to pass the information effectively to the desired parties. Arguably, the health industry is set to lose millions of pound due to minimal communication glitches in the organizational set up. More often than not, many are the times that patients misinterpret information placed on the labels, with many of them taking over and under doses.
According to many health practitioners, many patients who suffer from recurring ailments, have issues with their ability to complete doses. Failure to adhere to the instructions does not solely put all the blame on the patients, but also the medical personnel. Due to the large number illiterate persons in the United States, there lacks a proper communication strategy that will encompass even the less fortunate. Many feeble healthcare systems do not cater for communication strategies that their workers should employ.
Failure to comply with the set drug programs is one of the most critical effects of improper communication between healthcare service providers and patients. Among the many drug-related complications that are recorded across the globe, many are believed to emanate from non-adherence to prescriptions. Across the globe, many healthcare providers are keen about their uneducated populations, and afford crucial medical knowledge through the best manner possible. In Pakistan, due to the high rate of illiteracy, hospital and drug manufacturers use pictures and symbols to pass crucial information to their patients. Despite their low lingual skills, illiterate patients can readily connect with the illustrations and unravel the intended message.
Many people are of the idea that illiteracy is only a problem for impoverished societies, however, there are exceptional cases even in the first world. The pharmaceutical industry cannot cater for the few cases of functionality illiteracy and for those children who have slow mental development. For this reason, it is almost impossible to cater for all pharmaceutical labelling standards that captures all the relevant information and connects with all levels of readers. It is only in regulated markets, such as the United States and the UK where all medication is thoroughly labelled and counter checked to ascertain that all information matches the contents of the drugs.
The medical system should seek to employ the recent trends in communication to ensure that all patients are on the same page with the service provider. It may not necessarily be about drug prescriptions, but the need for a streamlined communication channel makes patient-doctor interaction easier. Interactions between medical practitioners and patients is ideal in that it enables, the latter to open up on any problems they may be having.
Technology in Nursing
Tremendous and world class technology allows practitioners to make accurate diagnostics and attend to the patient’s needs for many years now. Thanks to the cutting edge technology advancements, many lives have been saved. Though the journey has not been entirely smooth, the gradual progressions have seen through the expansion of the medical scope. Medical technology remains one of the broadest topics of discussion due to the complexity that follows suit. Fields like biotechnology, pharmacy and IT, have only worked in tandem to alleviate the world’s healthcare system. Gone are the days when minimal inventions such as bandages and braces were deemed cool, the modern day progression involves complex systems such as MRIs, artificial organs and robotics, only working together to improve the human health. The healthcare industry largely relies on medical technology, and many functions cannot be met with incorporating technology ono the wellness process. Diagnosis and surgical procedures are just but a few of the mandatory technological applications in the medical setup. Majority of life support machines run on complex engineering and biological systems, that work cohesively to maintain and sustain the lives of many patients across the globe.
Information technology is one cutting edge innovation that has fostered growth within the medical realms. IT advancements in the healthcare systems cannot be underrated as they serve some of the most critical features the field has to offer. The increased application of electronic medical records, telehealth and other electronic gadgets, that seek to improve human health through supporting and sustaining medical practitioners in their alleviation prompts. Technological advancements account for evoking smiles from both doctors and patients alike.
The extent of the progressions in the medical world have seen doctors graduate from trying out new equipment, to the current state of teleconferencing. Telecommunications is one of the cutting edge technologies that enable patients from across the globe to interact with physicians from the comfort of their homes. Though it is uncommon for patients to hold teleconferencing calls with their physicians, the outbreak of the pandemic has made this a reality. The practice not only saves on time, but also prevents the spread of the pandemic amidst other complications. Additionally, due to the automated nature of many institutions, doctors can readily access all information from the click of a button. Through the online platforms, doctors can access patient’s medical information, drug information and even recent research in the particular niche without much stress. Additionally, due to the mobile nature of technological gadgets, doctors have all the relevant information at their disposal and in a matter of seconds. Other applications that aid in alleviating imminent healthcare disparities like CT scans and MRI machines bring and unmatched contribution to the medical world.
Advancing the quality of life remains one of the primary most standards of medical technology. Through the services afforded by the progression, medical practitioners cater for the dynamic trends in the field of medicine. Modern trends encompass minimally invasive procedures, up to date monitoring systems and accurate diagnostics, in a bid to make the journey to wellness more favorable. The practice enables patients to spend more of their time on recovery, rather than be tied up in the medical facilities. Of particular interest on the topic is technological progressions that enable surgeons to conduct remote surgeries from the comfort of their homes. Surgeons need not be present in the operating rooms, but rather delegate their duties to robots through telehealth. Operations conducted by robots have higher chances of success and thus their application in the field of medicine. Minimal invasive procedures are the future of medicine, and engineers must team up with doctors to build the ultimate machine that caters for all in-house and home-based procedures.
Patient Access to Healthcare Records
Over the years, privileged healthcare information was previously accessible as it was stored in cabinets and could easily fall into the wrong hands. The unpredictability of dealing with physical records has compromised hundreds of medical records in many facilities. For this reason, technological strides have been made in the field, and which help curtail further detriments that can be readily corrected. Many instances of fire and misplacement of records are responsible for the dynamic shift towards electronic preservation of data. Additionally, inaccessibility to physical databases often made the retrieval process to be cumbersome. Digital platforms for storing information has improved the credibility and confidentiality of data, making it cumbersome for intruders to access privileged files. Modern day technology enables online storage of information that can readily be accessed by both the medical practitioners and patients alike.
Benefits of Patient Access to Healthcare Records
Through online storage of files, healthcare systems can easily store, access and share files without much logistical issues. This enables them save on space, labor and time for accessing the records. Online portals are readily accessible by either parties and this makes it easier to review previous files, cases and complaints without much hustle. The information serves the interests of the customers than the medical facilities themselves. Notably, patients who adhere to the engagement processes are more likely to remain loyal to the facility which caters for their health issues without holding back.
The clear cut benefit of patients accessing their medical records through online platforms makes them more enlightened of their condition, the predisposing factors as well as the wellness plan. Failure to access such crucial information makes many patients wallow in the dark, due to their vague comprehension of their condition. Consequently, patients are part and parcel of their road to wellness in that they can relate to both the condition and the healing process. Research shows that increased patient-doctor engagement results in improved health to all subjects. Majority of the patients sustain struggle with physical illnesses, while the entire problem can be readily corrected through self-awareness and acceptance. Online portals also reduce overcrowding and lower the number of hospital visits through enhancing patient engagement in the recovery process. This is priceless to the providers as they are keen to receive and maintain their recurring customers.
Electronic record keeping is essential to patients in that t enables them unrestricted access to their medical files. This access to medical records make them ably positioned to spot any errors and relay them to the relevant authorities in real time. The technology is responsible for the advancements in treatment of chronic illnesses as well as other personalized ailments. Adherence to the dynamic trends enables persons to make insightful trends towards wellness. Imagine a system that shuns all its patients from accessing credible information on their health. Such a system is critical to enable patients’ access up to date information on their recovery process.
Patient access to their medical files enables them to remain conscious of their wellness plan and consequently results in inducing proper recovery options for their condition. To a large extent, patients are unable to relate to the physicians notes, with majority of them crying foul play due to the many in competencies that prevail. Many argue that the writings are made in complex calligraphy, which cannot be read by outsiders other than fellow practitioners.
Artificial Intelligence in Nursing
The phenomenon has been in development since the 1950s when healthcare providers felt the need and possibility of integrating intelligent machines in healthcare provision. Although some of its technologies are already in use, there is a need for continuous. The complexity and nature of medical care demand more research and development in the technologies of artificial intelligence used. The improvements are possible through an in-depth analysis of the comprehensive incorporation of wearables that can connect to smartphones through Bluetooth devices as well as the internet.
The history of artificial intelligence dates back to the last century, while the relevance of the invention continues to leave a positive mark in all players of the nursing fraternity. All these advancements anchor on the efforts of both McCarthy and Turing. The upsurge of technological progress has been gradual but steady over the years. This revelation can be termed as revolutionary due to the strides made since its inception.
About 64% of the worldwide population uses smartphones. 91% of the USA population uses smartphones. The internet enables sending and receiving medical information in real-time and in the real-world environment. Nationwide health information exchange is a necessity that has been, for a long time, disorienting the government agencies in their work of sharing information about patients for better healthcare provisions. Hypertension affects about 34% of the total adults in the US, who are above the age of 20 years and accounts for approximately 73,000 deaths every year. The penalties and other negative implications of hypertension are preventable through the use of a practical smartphone application that can monitor and stimulate the necessary actions.
Recent developments in artificial intelligence have seen the introduction of a new device worn on the wrist or arm that seeks to monitor the health of individuals. The trend is most common among hypertensive patients, who need to remain wary of their pressure levels at all times. The device is either linked to your smartphone via wireless connections or through the internet. The intelligent system has proved decisive in reducing many clinical fatalities that are changeable without much hustle. The ability to deduce the prevalence of a condition before it gets out of hand enables subjects to seek alternative healthcare within the shortest period. Additionally, though the usage of the system is not widespread, its ability to combat certain illnesses remains unrivaled.
In-depth research into the use of artificial intelligence in medicine may be directed towards the creation of a comprehensive tool for nursing. Researchers may develop the apparatus in such a way that it can be used by everyone to monitor their real-time health conditions, such as blood pressure and the rate of heartbeat. In case of any problems with the body of a person, the device will be notifying the person wearing it to stimulate action such as visiting the nearest hospital. The method may also connect to the relevant healthcare facility according to the diagnosed condition. Doing so can encourage response by the healthcare facility to help the patient in case he/she is too sick to act.
Before the implementation of an artificial intelligence system, it is crucial to do the due acknowledgment from the sole decision-makers. Only after they give a green light that the project can proceed. After it comes to an assessment of the readiness of the organization to embrace recent trends in artificial intelligence. A team of experts convenes to paint an insight picture on the direction the project takes. After doing the due diligence, the old infrastructure is optimized to cater to the advancement accordingly. The organization is then ready for the rolling out of the program. The process kicks off with a pilot program aimed at deducing the ability of the system to sustain the development and organization goals prompting its introduction. After successful piloting, the progress of the AI system is closely monitored to check on its practicability.
Every idea should make sense in at least a significant number of aspects. Just like any other idea, the idea of making a comprehensive device for nursing needs proper evaluation. Customer feedback offers insight into the best ways of fabricating the device, integrating it into the smartphone technology, and maximizing its functionality. The ability to make the idea work also depends on how well the researchers can incorporate the feedback into the ideas offered in reviews. Criticism is especially of great importance since it magnifies the areas that need improvement. The SWOT analysis provides information that can help businesspersons to make conclusions about the viability of the idea in business. It is, however, not of much use if the government is to take over the design and provide much-needed healthcare without considering it as a business.
Many financial implications are associated with rolling out of artificially intelligent systems in the nursing world. AI systems are capital intensive since their inception until they are found to be fully compatible with the existing systems. For this reason, the government can compete in that field as compared to private institutions. The apparatus need full maintenance in a bid to ensure the integrity of data generated for analysis. Despite the financial constraints facing the rolling out of the program, it is essential not to overrule the accrued benefits to patients.
Person-Centered Care: The Use of Technology To Improve Patient Care Vis-à-vis Face To Face Approach
In the nursing field, it is imperative to observe the patients’ needs when providing primary care. Various issues affect the provision of primary care, and they need to be addressed in order to ensure quality care. This includes reactive versus proactive decisions, lack of choices, physician shortage, among others. Additionally, patients originate from diverse cultural backgrounds, and this calls for an ethical consideration provision of care. All this needs to be pooled together in order to provide person-centered care. This essay discusses the person-centered care as well as my principles pertaining to holistic nursing.
In my view, person-centered care is an approach that dwells more on the individual’s desires, wants, personal needs and goals so that they become integral to the care as well as the whole nursing process. It is through this that the person’s needs, as they outline them, should be put above those that healthcare recognizes as priorities. This makes me work with the patient’s values and beliefs, engage them in decision-making processes as well as having a compassionate presence, which all helps in the provision of holistic care. To achieve this efficiently, I must consider the patient’s culture, values, and beliefs. Healthcare disparities can be eliminated by having a professional who is cultural competence. It is, therefore, paramount to assess every patient individually minding his/her beliefs and should value each culture and its uniqueness in the society. By practicing this, I avoid being ethnocentric in my practice.
Upon becoming an APN, my objective is to treat every patient holistically through the use of a patient-centered care approach. I have plans to analyze my self-knowledge, explore, and understand my beliefs and values. Additionally, I will incorporate the patient’s cultural ideas, explaining every stage of care as well as involving them in the decision making process. This will ensure that I am not polarized and do incorporate diverse options from a problem that I might be handling. It is very vital in respecting the patient’s autonomy despite family opinion regarding the matters at hand. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the patients understand the treatment goals and are aware of all the options available for his/her condition. Culture is individual and dynamic, and nurses have a role to play to ensure they respond appropriately to the patients.
