DR EBTISSAM AL-MADI Consumer Informatics, nursing informatics, public health informatics

Consumer health informatics Consumer health informatics is the branch of medical informatics that analyses consumers' needs for information; studies and implements methods of making information accessible to consumers; and models and integrates consumers' preferences into medical information systems.

Scope of Consumer Health Informatics Analyzing and modeling consumer preferences, information needs, and information use; Exploring ways informatics can optimize the healthcare partnership of provider and patient Developing and evaluating methods and applications to support consumers in obtaining and using health information; Developing and evaluating methods and applications to integrate consumer needs and preferences into information management systems in clinical practice, education, and research; Developing technology and software to educate and empower consumer and to allow patients participate in healthcare decisions. Identifying factors that the affect the use of technology in the provider- client relationship. Studying the effects of these systems on public health, the patient- professional relationship, and society. Evaluating the effectiveness of health care informatics in patient outcomes.

Benefits of Consumer HI Health providers have better way to communicate with patients and involve them in their treatments. Patients get a better understanding of their conditions with the help of their physicians during consultations. Patients are more involved in making decisions regarding their health and have a better understanding of treatment options, risks, and benefits.

CHI applications Any electronic tool, technology, or system that is: primarily designed to interact with health information users or consumers (anyone who seeks or uses health care information for nonprofessional work) Interacts directly with the consumer who provides personal health information to the CHI system and receives personalized health information from the tool application or system the data, information, recommendations or other benefits provided to the consumer, may be used with a healthcare professional, but is not dependent on a healthcare professional.

Potential categories of CHI tools/technologies/applications Applications and technologies that facilitate knowing/tracking/understanding clinical parameters (disease management) Applications and technologies that facilitate knowing/tracking/understanding observations of daily living (ODL’s) Applications and technologies that facilitate calendaring (lifestyle management assistance) Applications and technologies that facilitate prevention and health promotion Applications and technologies that facilitate self-care Applications and technologies that facilitate assisted care and caregiving.

Personal Health Records General Health sites: Semi personalized: om/ Personal Health Records:  Online, web-based  PDA, or Phone applications

Examples Internet-delivered computer–assisted health education program for diet, nutrition and exercise  More effective than non computer based web-based computer-tailored smoking cessation program  more effective than a control of web-based non-tailored materials. Web-based, multi-component, interactive self-help intervention for problem drinkers without therapist guidance  Reduced consumption than brochure readers Asthma computer interactive games application:  An internet based interactive asthma program, monitoring peak expiratory flows with an asthma diary.  Improved care with patients. Computer messages and alerts for cancer patients:  Increased satisfaction and care for follow up

Public Health Informatics

Public Health Informatics has been defined as the systematic application of information and computer science and technology to public health practice, research, and learning. It focuses on:  Populations (versus the individual)  Orientation to prevention (rather than diagnosis and treatment)  Governmental Context

What is public Health? Assessment:  Monitoring and tracking the health status of populations including identifying and controlling disease outbreaks and epidemics. Policy development:  Utilization of the results of assessment activities and etiologic research in concert with local values and culture to recommend interventions and public policies that improve health status. Assurance:  Assurance that public health agencies services are provided to achieve the goals agreed upon.

Public Health Informatics Registries of conditions:  Gather data and statistics. Databases of diseases:  Cross-tabulate, study trends, look for patterns. Aggregation or wide-spread surveys:  Study incidence or prevalence of trends

Examples WHO pandemic diseased registries Immunization registries. Cancer Registries HIV/AIDS registries Many articles of spread of disease

Challenges in Public HI Interdisciplinary communications Organization and collaboration issues Funding and sustainability System design Standards Measuring progress

Nursing Informatics

Nursing Informatics, a term coined to describe the integration of nursing science with information and computer science, has developed into a mandatory focus for all registered nurses on a global scale. It has evolved from the need to ensure that nurses have the necessary informatics competencies (knowledge, skills, attitudes and decision making) to effectively meet their responsibilities and standards for nursing practice.

Nursing Informatics, through the use of computers, can facilitate and speed information sharing in all practice areas. For this to be most effective, nurses must have a basic understanding of informatics. Understanding current and evolving technology for the management and processing of nursing information helps the nursing profession assume a leadership position in health reform. If nurses understand the power of technology they can play an active role in evaluating and improving the quality of care, cost containment, and other consumer benefits." (Hebda, Czar & Mascara, 1999)

Goal of Nursing Informatics to improve the health of populations, communities, families, and individuals by optimizing information management and communication. This includes the use of information and technology in the direct provision of care, in establishing effective administrative systems, in managing and delivering educational experiences, in supporting lifelong learning, and in supporting nursing research.

Levels of Nurses computer knowledge needed use information and communication technologies to enter, retrieve and manipulate data interpret and organize data into information to affect nursing practice combine information to contribute to knowledge development in nursing

This weeks assignments Log on to View this lecture online for review. 2. No Article this week 3. Homework! Please complete survey #2 on the website. It is annonymous. 4. Participate in discussion: What other applications for Consumer Informatics can you think of or find on the web? ViewRead Discuss