-Describe the paradigm shift in healthcare related to technology
-Elaborate how technology can improve health outcomes in your population
Chosen Evidence-Based Technology Use in Disease or Risk Factor
-Describe and summarize the evidence-based technology identified that has been shown to improve the condition or Risk Factor for your patient population chosen.
-Compare and contrast the positives and negatives of using this technology use chosen.
Technology improves health outcomes in a general population by addressing key systemic challenges:
Improving Access and Equity: Telemedicine and remote consultations bridge geographical barriers, allowing people in rural or underserved communities to access specialists. This increases health equity and facilitates timely care.
Enhancing Diagnostic Accuracy: The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) into medical imaging and diagnostics allows for faster, more accurate detection of diseases (like cancer or heart disease) by spotting patterns that human eyes might miss. This leads to earlier treatment and better survival rates.
Reducing Medical Errors: Clinical Decision Support (CDS) systems embedded in EHRs automatically cross-check medication orders for allergies and drug-drug interactions, significantly reducing preventable adverse events which are a major cause of death and morbidity.
Empowering Patient Engagement: Mobile health apps, wearable devices, and patient portals give individuals direct access to their data and personalized health recommendations, promoting proactive self-management and better adherence to treatment plans.
The current paradigm shift in healthcare, driven by technology, is a move from a reactive, provider-centric model to a proactive, patient-centric, and data-driven one.
| Old Paradigm | New Paradigm (Driven by Technology) |
|---|---|
| Reactive Care (Focus on treating illness after symptoms appear) | Proactive/Preventive Care (Focus on risk prediction and early intervention) |
| Episodic, Fragmented (Care delivered in isolated visits/hospitals) | Continuous, Coordinated (Seamless tracking via digital platforms and remote monitoring) |
| Autonomous, Expert-Centric (Doctor is the sole source of information) | Collaborative, Data-Driven (Decisions supported by AI/ML and accessible Electronic Health Records (EHRs)) |
| Paper-Based/Siloed Records (Slow access, redundant testing, high error rate) | Digital/Interoperable Records (Instant access to patient history, reduced errors) |