The IT revolution has changed our world. We have developed new ways to communicate and interact with each other, and seen different parts of our life become more integrated. Our world will continue to change in the years to come, including the third generation of IT transformations of the healthcare system. The future of healthcare IT will have a significant impact on the health of an entire population, from preventive measures through the continuum of care.
Big Data, Patient Privacy and Security
The major U.S. healthcare providers have begun a transition of patient information from traditional paper-based archives to digitalized records. It may seem like nothing more than a trivial scanning of the archives, but digitized patient information is crucial for all future developments, and the use of Big Data in healthcare is both a promise and a real concern.
Big data analytics will allow researchers and caregivers to track patterns in disease occurrence, risk factors for certain patient populations, and the efficacy of courses of treatment. Consumers, however, may become wary of pharmaceutical companies trying to harvest this data for their own profit. Patient information accessibility is the stepping-stone to future healthcare IT, but it is also one of the biggest challenges. The archives are large and contain enormous amounts of sensitive information. Who will have access? How will it be stored? How will it be secured?
With access to genetic testing and the development of new genetic markers for various diseases and medical conditions, what consequences could the knowledge of potential risk factors have? Ethical concerns abound. As we have seen in smaller communities where a specific disease or genetic risk factor has been more prevalent than in the general population, research within this community helps us understand the biology and advance our progress towards a cure. Now imagine access to the genetic data of an entire population. Should we keep our personal healthcare data private, or share it with researchers for the greater good?
Virtual Healthcare
The ethical dilemma of who will be able to access our private data is a question that needs a solution, but of equal concern is the question of how we will access the data in order to receive our healthcare. If you have a patient based out of rural Arkansas, and a specialist treating him from an office in downtown Chicago, how will they interact? Virtual healthcare is a concept that already exists, but one that will continue to expand as the need for specialists will become more apparent. The virtual specialist will primarily have an impact on rural areas where the population normally would have to travel far to receive the healthcare they need.
Through the use of digital imaging technology for diagnostics, such as MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, and EEG, the healthcare provider can access the test results through a telemedicine system. In an attempt to address the problem of security, the server and the imaging machines can communicate directly with each other, which could help ensure that patient confidentiality is maintained and that no results are lost. To make matters more complicated, insurance providers are reluctant to reimburse consultations done through remote care delivery systems. The insurer needs evidence that appropriate care was delivered and that the patient’s identity was verified to prevent fraud.
Personalized Healthcare
The advancement of healthcare IT will also bring with it one of the most exciting promises in the form of personalized healthcare. It is not too farfetched to say that we will soon have the ability to customize a treatment regimen specialized to every patient’s unique genetic makeup and medical history. As data and devices become more interconnected, we will also see a shift from treatment to personalized prevention.
Mobile Healthcare
From apps to social channels, and interconnectivity between patients and medical staff, we are facing a major shift in how we approach healthcare and what tools our healthcare providers will use. We are seeing a new way to deliver care that goes far beyond our local doctor’s traditional one-size-fits-all model. The payment structure in which doctors get paid per patient and per procedure has forced our healthcare providers to adopt routines that are obsolete. New ideas are gaining momentum, which include mobile apps, e-mail consultations, and alternative connections that are better aligned with a younger population that requires options.
The Future of Health Information Management
The first step on the road to future healthcare IT is the digitalization of our patient records. With the increasing concerns of Big Data and the promises of personalized medicine and preventive treatment options, it is crucial how we treat the information. Will you become a part of the healthcare system or simply reap the benefits?
If you would like to become a part of this exciting field, consider earning a degree at ECPI University. You can begin with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Health Science with a concentration in Health Information Management and then specialize in Healthcare IT. Through ECPI University’s year-round program, you can earn an Associate’s degree in just 1.5 years or a Bachelor’s in just 2.5 years. It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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