When it comes to information technology, healthcare is still few steps behind most industries - Mayssaloun Tay (2009)
In a research for her healthcare management course at University of Dallas in Arlington, Mayssaloun Tay writes about social networking and healthcare. Abstract is below and complete article is available at http://docs.google.com/View?id=dhfqpfcz_0gtfrpvgr
ABSTRACT
Healthcare organizations are progressively implementing a type of electronic health record system (EMR) to replace the traditional handwritten health record system. Reviews are mixed about this new electronic system, and both healthcare providers and patients complain that it does not serve its purpose as a collaborative tool. The EMR does not provide real time collaboration among the diverse group of healthcare providers nor does it allow patients to either communicate with their physicians or to access their health records. Healthcare givers and patients would like to see the development of a better healthcare community.
Two physicians, two nurses and an IT expert were interviewed for this research. They all welcomed the idea of having a type of a social network for healthcare that is secure, collaborative, easy to use and effective in the exchange and transfer of information.
Based on the success and popularity of Facebook as statistics show, the idea of suggesting a facebook-like social networking for the healthcare industry came into play. If implemented as a Facebook application or maybe as a stand-alone application, the healthcare social network would use a nationwide healthcare system that allows the electronic use and exchange of information.
Among the numerous benefits of healthcare social network, the system can serve as a marketing tool, a reputation management tool, an educational tool, and as a support group tool that helps improve the overall outcome of healthcare.
The research focuses on the issues facing the implementation of a facebook-like social networking for healthcare and ways to overcome the hurdles. The most notable issues include security, privacy, controlling as well managing content, and compliancy with HIPAA and federal regulations.
Technology is changing the way we do business every day, but healthcare organizations are still reluctant to embrace the new technology of social networking. The healthcare industry should look far into the future. Schoolchildren are tomorrow’s healthcare professionals and have already established their method of handling information socially and that is through online social networks. The healthcare industry must adapt and jump on the online social networking wagon.
Mayssaloun Tay - 11/17/2009
read complete article on http://docs.google.com/View?id=dhfqpfcz_0gtfrpvgr
Labels: science, technology