Being a future health education promoter, it is our responsibility to ensure access to health care and knowledge to enhance the health of individuals. One barrier to accessing care is the cost of receiving care. Stated by Shi & Singh, there are 46 million Americans who are uninsured (Shi, Singh). One reason as to why health care is so expensive is because of the growth of technology in the medical field, and although it makes things pricier, our group believes that better technology leads to a better quality of care received.
One are of technology that can be improved is health information technology (HIT). Stated by the Department of Health and Human Services, HIT reduces health care costs, increases administrative efficiencies, decreases paperwork, and expands access to affordable care. “Health information technology can help to improve public health one individual at a time by building partnerships between health care consumers and providers across the country” (Dept. of Health & Human Services). So although refining health information technology may cost more initially, the benefits that come from an advanced system outweigh the cost.
Technology has also taken a role in the medical world. Medical technology defined by the Kaiser Family Foundation as “ procedures, equipment, and processes by which medical care is delivered” (Kaiser Foundation). Technology is also expanding by providing information to people all across the nation about their health issues. An example of expanding health care technology is the access of medical information on the Internet. It is understood that the Internet doesn’t necessarily treat a problem, but it can help prevent illness and aid populations in recognizing symptoms. Those who rely on the Internet for information about their health do have to be careful, however, because the web isn’t regulated and has little oversight, so the information might be incorrect. Therefore, our role as health care providers and educators would emphasize teaching patients how to recognize credible Internet sources. The Internet is a great resource, “it can’t completely replace face-to-face contact with a health professional” (PHAC). Our group believes that e-health can empower and encourage an individual to become more aware of their body and health, which ultimately could reduce the cost of visiting doctors for easily treated and preventable health problems.
Technology can greatly impact the quality of care a patient receives. Growth of technology has been associated with rising health care costs, but according to the New England Journal of Medicine, countries such as Britain and Australia have adopted a cost-effectiveness system. This system evaluates the cost of new technology per quality-adjusted life. (NEJM). Some technologies, differing from the norm, actually decrease costs for health care. An example of this is the use of antiretroviral therapies being credited with the reduction in hospitalization of AIDS patients (Shi & Singh). Better technology allows new procedures to provide a better diagnosis, faster and more complete cures, risk-reduction in a cost-effective manner, and new treatments that are more effective, less invasive, or safer. Also according to Shi & Singh some examples of technology enhancing care is the use of laser technology, which is available for performing surgery without as much trauma as a normal surgery and also allows for a shorter recovery time (Shi & Singh).
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, many factors should go into a new technology increasing or decreasing the cost, such as the cost of treating an individual patient and changes resulting in lower or high health spending. Another factor is can much the new technology is used by a broader population, or is it only available for specialized care? (Kaiser Foundation). Health care professionals also strive to improve ways to treat their patients by providing the “latest and greatest” service. Having state-of-the-art technology practices drives competition with different providers and may even serve as motivation for practitioners to improve their own practice. Either way, creating new technology to be used as treatment is a desire to increase human understanding (Kaiser Foundation).
Overall, technology is an asset to health care improvement. The question of whether we are getting value for the money spent will always be pressed upon those involved in care. Providing patients with the best care possible is what providers strive for, and if resources for professionals aren’t available, the overall quality of life and health of a population suffers. Putting a price on one’s health is difficult to do, and our group thinks that if spending money on advancing technology improves the well being of patients, then it is money well spent.
References:
Shi,L., & Singh D. A.(2008). Delivering Health Care in America: A Systems Approach. Sudbury, Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett
Health Information Technology. (n.d.). Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved March 27,2009, from http://www.hhs.gov/healthit/
How Changes in Medical Technology Affect Health Care Costs. (2007, March 8). Kaiser Family Foundation. Retrieved March 26, 2009, from http://www.kff.org/insurance/snapshot/chcm030807oth.cfm
Davis, K., Ph. D. (2008, October 23). Slowing the Growth of Health Care Costs — Learning from International Experience. New England Journal of Medicine, Volume 359(Number 17), 1751-1755. Retrieved March 26, 2009, from http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/359/17/1751
For the Good of Your Health: Technology and Health Care. (2008, June 4). Aging and Seniors. Retrieved March 27, 2009, from http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/seniors-aines/pubs/tech_fact_sheets/ no05_e.htm
If the technology is making our nation's health care rise so, why isn't this being impacted and reflected in other countries who have some of the same level of technology in their health care systems? It just makes one wonder where our country is going financially wrong.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is a huge part of the United States health care system. We have obviously spent big bucks on making sure we have the most up-to-date advanced technology.
ReplyDeleteI agree with have e-health and electronic health records: I believe this would be a more effective way of health care. However, as Alyssa stated, other countries have the same level of technology, if not more out-of-date--and are obviously at a higher standing in their health care system, than we are in the United States. I think we should learn from these other countries and really start focusing a little more on preventative measures. I believe the funding for the health care system should be dispersed as evenly as possible: trying to prevent an excess of money spent on only ONE aspect of the health care system.
I agree that the internet is a great resource for health information, but all the information needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Yes, it is possible to look at your symptoms and determine what kind of a problem you may have, but it is also likely that you will diagnose yourself with something much more severe or obscure than you actually have. My roommate is one of those people. If she is a little sick, she will end up thinking she is dying of cancer because of something she looked up on the internet.
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