Health Informatics & Telemedicine TOPIC 7 Health Informatics & Telemedicine Information Systems Department

Health Informatics Health Informatics is the science that uses information to improve health care. Health Informatics is the study of how health data, information, and knowledge are collected, stored, processed, communicated, and used to support the process of health care delivery to clients and providers, administrators, and organizations involved in health care delivery. Information Systems Department

Health Informatics Health informatics tools include not only computers but also clinical guidelines, formal medical terminologies, and information and communication systems. It is applied to the areas of nursing, clinical care, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, occupational therapy, and (bio)medical research. Information Systems Department

Professional knowledge Health Informatics Information Computer, communication technologies Professional knowledge Informatics Informatics includes the science of information, the practice of information processing, and the engineering of information systems. Informatics studies the structure, behavior, and interactions of natural and artificial systems that store, process and communicate information. It also develops its own conceptual and theoretical foundations. Since computers, individuals and organizations all process information, informatics has computational, cognitive and social aspects, including study of the social impact of information technologies. Health informatics is a discipline at the intersection of information science, computer science, and health care. Information Systems Department

Health Informatics Other terms: eHealth Health Information Technology (HIT) Medical Information Systems (MIS) eHealth (also written e-health) is a relatively recent term for healthcare practice supported by electronic processes and communication. The term eHealth is often, particularly in the U.K. and Europe, used as an umbrella term that includes telehealth, electronic medical records, and other components of health IT. The term is inconsistently used: some would argue it is interchangeable with health care informatics and a sub set of Health informatics, while others use it in the narrower sense of healthcare practice using the Internet. Telehealth is the delivery of health-related services and information via telecommunications technologies. Telehealth could be as simple as two health professionals discussing a case over the telephone or as sophisticated as doing robotic surgery between facilities at different ends of the globe. Information Systems Department

Health Informatics Reduced record keeping expenses More accurate data No poor handwriting problems Automated sharing among patients and provider Empower the patient to manage their own health - via Internet information and decision support tools Information Systems Department

Health Informatics Reduced office visits to get results Avoidance of duplicating tests Automatic summarisation/graphical displays of context-relevant information to the physician Information Systems Department

Health Informatics Health Informatics includes: Electronic Medical Records (EMR): easy communication of patient data between different healthcare professionals (GPs, specialists, care team, pharmacy) Telemedicine: do not require a patient and specialist in same physical location. Information Systems Department

Electronic health records Such records: may include a whole range of data in comprehensive or summary form, including demographics, medical history, medication and allergies, immunization status, laboratory test results, radiology images, vital signs, personal stats like age and weight, and billing information. Its purpose: can be understood as a complete record of patient encounters that allows the automation and streamlining of the workflow in health care settings and increases safety through evidence-based decision support, quality management, and outcomes reporting. Information Systems Department

Telemedicine Health Informatics

What is Telemedicine Telemedicine may be defined as the use of computers and telecommunication technologies to provide medical information and services from distant locations It helps eliminate distance barriers and can improve access to medical services that would often not be consistently available in distant rural communities. Telemedicine is a rapidly developing application of clinical medicine where medical information is transferred through interactive audiovisual media for the purpose of consulting, and sometimes remote medical procedures or examinations. Information Systems Department

What is Telemedicine Telemedicine may be as simple as two health professionals discussing a case over the telephone, or as complex as using satellite technology and videoconferencing equipment to conduct a real-time consultation between medical specialists in two different countries Information Systems Department

Why it is relevant to poor society Poor infrastructure Non-availability of experts Low doctor-patient ratio (large population) Lack of proper medical education Information Systems Department

Aim of the Telemedicine System Information management Patient information Medical data (signs, symptoms, test reports, etc..) Appointment scheduling Archival and retrieval of patient records Low cost solution Using ordinary telephone line Service to large population Through public health care delivery systems Development of knowledge-based system For decision support For training and education Information Systems Department

Requirement Specification Nodal Hospital A patient getting treated A Doctor A remote telemedicine console having audio visual and data conferencing facilities POTS / ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS)  An ISDN line can carry information at nearly five times the fastest rate achievable using analog modems over POTS. Referral Hospital An expert/ specialized doctor A central telemedicine server having audio visual and data conferencing facility Information Systems Department

Sequence of Operation Day One PATIENT IN Patient visits OPD Local Doctor checks up Patient receives local treatment and not referred to telemedicine system OUT Patient referred to the Telemedicine system (some special investigations may be suggested) Day One Patient visits Telemedicine data-entry console. Operator entries patient record, data and images of test results, appointment date is fixed for online telemedicine session OUT OBD stands for Out-Patient Department Offline Data transfer from Nodal Centre Information Systems Department

Sequence of Operation Day Two Patient 1 Patient 2 Patient 3 Patient 4 . Online conference for the patient: Patient, local doctors at the nodal hospital and specialist doctors at the referral hospital Day Two OUT IN Patient queue Information Systems Department

Hardware Configuration Digital camera Referral Hospital Nodal Hospital Scanner Printer Modem Microscope and other medical instruments Video Conference Telephone Information Systems Department

Software Modules Offline Activities Online Activities Information Systems Department

For Off line Communication Offline Module NODAL CENTRE REFERRAL CENTRE Data Acquisition User Interface Patient data Browser Data Distributor Local DB Temp Files Master Database Temp Files Data Distributor Data Encryption Data Decryption D A T A Data Sender Data Receiver Acknowledgement Data Flow Diagram For Off line Communication Information Systems Department

For Online Communication Online Module NODAL CENTRE REFERRAL CENTRE Data Acquisition Online Session Coordinator and communicator Secure Communication Channel Local DB Master DB Online Session Coordinator and communicator Video Conferencing Video Conferencing Data Flow Diagram For Online Communication Information Systems Department

A group of specialist doctors A group of general physicians Personnel Involved Referral end A group of specialist doctors System Administrator Studio technician Nodal end A group of general physicians System administrator Data entry operator Studio technician Patients Information Systems Department

Types of Telemedicine Health Informatics

Types of telemedicine Telemedicine can be classified into three main types: Store-and-forward Remote Monitoring Interactive services Information Systems Department

1- Store-and-Forward Telemedicine This type involves obtaining medical information, such as medical images, bio-signals etc. and then conveying this information to a doctor or medical specialist at a suitable time for evaluation offline. This type of telemedicine does not require the presence of both parties together. Information Systems Department

1- Store-and-Forward Telemedicine An appropriately prearranged Medical Record, if possible, in electronic form should be a part of this transfer. A major difference between traditional in-person patient meetings and telemedicine is the exclusion of a regular physical assessment and history. In this store-and-forward process, the doctor depends on a history report and audio/video data of a physical assessment. Information Systems Department

Monitoring of Vital Signs Information Systems Department

2- Remote Monitoring Enables medical professionals to monitor a patient remotely Primarily used for managing chronic diseases or specific conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, or asthma. These services can provide comparable health outcomes to traditional in-person patient encounters, supply greater satisfaction to patients, and may be cost-effective. using various technological devices such as alarms for predefined condition Information Systems Department

Remote Monitoring of Vital Signs Information Systems Department 22

3- Interactive Telemedicine Services This service real-time interactions between patient and doctor. This service includes phone conversations and online communication. Several activities such as history assessment and physical tests can be performed comparably to those done in traditional face-to-face treatments. “clinician-interactive” telemedicine services may be cheaper than personal clinical visits. Information Systems Department

What are the benefits of Telemedicine?  Better Access improving access to patient telemedicine also permits physicians and health services to develop their reach, beyond their own offices.   Information Systems Department

What are the benefits of Telemedicine?  Economical Telemedicine has been shown to decrease the cost of healthcare and increase efficiency through improved management of chronic diseases, shared health professional staffing, reduced travel times, and fewer or shorter hospital stays or visits. Information Systems Department

What are the benefits of Telemedicine?  Reduced stress level in patients With the usage of telemedicine technologies, the travel time and stress associated with it are reduced for the patient. Patients can stay in their local communities and can keep in contact with family and friends. Information Systems Department

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