Discussion

Problem Statement

Access to quality and affordable healthcare is a critical concept in the healthcare sector. Many studies conducted have revealed how several people are still unable to afford primary and quality healthcare. The absence of healthier lifestyle measures often results in ill-health and, in extreme conditions, may result in loss of lives. Educating patients on healthy lifestyle habits are essential in maintaining stable health. Currently, a lot of disparity exists in patient education on a healthier lifestyle. Individuals can increase their lifespan through the adoption of healthier lifestyle practices since poor health lifestyles influence most mortalities. The objective is to evaluate how information technology can be used to enhance healthier lifestyle habits.

PICOT Question

Does Information Technology Promote Healthier Lifestyles?

Patient, Population, or Problem

The research will be conducted on all patients seeking healthcare services at various facilities. There is no age limit for the patients. Additionally, patients with all types of illnesses such as allergies, headaches, heart diseases, cancer, and other terminal illnesses will be educated on healthy lifestyle practices.

Intervention or Exposure

Medical practitioners are usually aware of how integrated communication technologies can be used to improve patients’ lifestyles. Telehealth can be used to promote patient’s healthier lifestyles. Telehealth primarily involves advancing healthcare based on telecommunication technologies (Finkelstein et al. 2012). The doctors and nurses can use telehealth to extend treatment and consultation services on improving lifestyle habits remotely to patients, especially in rural areas. Virtual consultation via telehealth is substantial and cheaper. Patients can also use remote monitoring tools to monitor their health while at home. The home health monitoring systems give patients numerous benefits such as reduced movements to doctors’ offices and cost-efficient.

The pacemakers for patients with heart complications will send data to remote health centers for interpretation and feedback. Notably, the healthcare industry is undergoing seismic changes, and technology is a key driver. Using the internet to improve nutrition and dieting strategies will be a useful intervention in enhancing patients’ lifestyle practices. The patients can access blogs, nutrition channels, articles, and gymnastic training to a greater extent to solve unhealthy lifestyle practices. Another intervention will be the adoption of wearable technology (Finkelstein et al. 2012). The patients will wear the wearable medical device. The device will collect electronic data and signals and relay patients and doctors to monitor, assess, and evaluate the wearer to provide a lasting solution to the unhealthy lifestyle patterns.

Comparison

There are several other alternatives to the intervention plans initiated by the technological advancement in patient health. Apart from the initiatives created by information technology, the patients could also rely on consultation from peers, friends, and family on the models for maintaining healthy lifestyles.

Outcomes

The overall outcome of using information technology to educate patients are numerous. The system will lead to efficiency in enhancing healthy lifestyles. The mortality rate for both adult and infant patients will immensely reduce due to the sense of awareness and rapid response that will be established. The healthcare facilities will witness reduced in and outpatients. The doctors and nurses will get relief. They will not be overwhelmed, as many patients will be treated virtually through electronic consultation and medication systems. The number of cases that occur due to unhealthy lifestyle habits such as obesity, heart diseases, and cancer-related diseases will also increase.

References

Finkelstein, J., Knight, A., Marinopoulos, S., Gibbons, M. C., Berger, Z., Aboumatar, H., … & Bass, E. B. (2012). Enabling patient-centered care through health information technology. Evidence report/technology assessment, (206), 1-1531.