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The Role of Informatics in Decreasing Healthcare Disparities Presented by: Janet Newton, Valerie Schmidt, Blesson Vargheese, and Shelby Watson NUR 353 Jacksonville University

Decreasing Health Disparities

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The Role of Informatics in Decreasing Healthcare Disparities

The Role of Informatics in Decreasing Healthcare DisparitiesPresented by:Janet Newton, Valerie Schmidt, Blesson Vargheese, andShelby Watson NUR 353Jacksonville University

Health Information TechnologyAdoption barriers among minoritiesJanet Newton, RN

Health Information Technology (HIT)HIT refers to a number of technologiesElectronic Health Record (EHR)Personal Health Record (PHR)Technology used in the management of chronic conditions (email, text messaging, or remote monitoring)Population health tools (registries and telemedicine)Consumer Health Informatics (CHI) online health tools used for general health information

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Health Information Technology (HIT)

There has been a push in recent years to implement HIT, especially a Personal Health Record (PHR)A PHR is a tool used to document ones health history electronically. It can be instrumental in increasing ones awareness about and involvement in their healthcare.

It is believed that through the implementation of HIT we, as a country can positively impact the quality of care and safety for all Americans.

Health Information Technology (HIT)It has been shown that simply having knowledge about a health issue can enhance ones health status.The internet can be a great source of information about a diagnosis or health promotion.

Healthcare Disparities

The United States is a country built on the philosophy that All men are created equal. However, often there is great disparity in the healthcare opportunities afforded to different groups of individuals.

Healthcare Disparities

Healthcare disparities can be divided along different lines, including:

RaceSocio-economic CultureLanguageAgeGeography

Adoption Barriers among Minorities

A perceived lack of benefit to the consumerLack of trust in the technology or privacy concernsLimited computer accessPoor computer knowledge, literacy and skillsLimited internet availability either because of financial or geographical reasons

Minority consumers are sometimes reluctant to use online Personal Health Records.

The Affordable Care Act of 2010 Impact on Decreasing Healthcare DisparitiesShelby Watson, RN

Affordable Healthcare ActSigned into law in 2010Mandates that all Americans have access to healthcare coverage Incorporation of new information technology standards and infrastructure requirements Reimbursement for physicians based on the quality of care provided to patients instead of across-the-board reimbursement of services

Affordable Care Act and Data CollectionSection 10334 Designates a new National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities.Section 4302 requires population surveys that will address federally funded health care programs and will provide feedback on data including race, ethnicity, sex, primary language, disability status, and information on individuals who live in rural and frontier areas. ("Health Disparities and ACA," 2012, p. 1)Quality Improvement and Research

Affordable Care Act CoverageExpands Medicaid coverage for minorities, which will cover almost 40% of African American and Latino children Insurance companies can no longer deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions, or charge higher premiums New exchanges afford the opportunity to choose a plan and premium package that provides benefits and alleviates the disparity for those who may not qualify for Medicaid

Affordable Care Act in the CommunityCommunity Health Centers (CHCs) expected to play a key role in the future of providing primary and preventative care services to minority groups and underserved populations. Earmarked $11 billion to facilitate serving an estimated 40 million patients by 2019, which represents double the amount currently being served Data collected on these CHCs will be utilized to provide targeted care in the future

Affordable Care Act and Preventative CareFocus on preventative care measures and goals for the future of expanding wellness care management. Section 4102 of the law already includes an oral health campaign and aims to promote oral health for minority groupsProvisions and funding provided for maternal and child health to include $1.5 billion dedicated to services such as home visiting programs and educational support for individuals to improve health outcomes

Affordable Care Act and the FutureNew requirements to electronically report data will provide insight for needs assessments and healthcare spending of the futureACA is the first major step since the implementation of Medicaid which aims to relieve the disparity among minority populations regarding health care coverage and preventative care awareness. Estimated 46 million people currently uninsured47% of those individuals live in households with income at or below 133 percent of federal poverty guidelines. ("Health Disparities and ACA," 2012, para. 5) Expected 32 million additional Americans will have health coverage by 2019 (Saenz, 2010, para. 2)

Affordable Care Act and the Future

Expected 32 million additional Americans will have health coverage by 2019 (Saenz, 2010, para. 2) Aim is to alleviate current dilemma and positively influence the market by driving down the cost of health care

Opportunities for HIT to help address healthcare disparitiesValerie Schmidt , RN

Access to TechnologyMobile phone access to underserved populations has decreasedAccording to the Institutes for Alternative Futures existing gaps in access to internet have narrowed Many of the underserved communities in the US were the largest users of cell phone voice minutes per person

Access to technologyExisting gaps in access to internet have narrowedPercentage of adults with broadband internet access at home is consistent among White/non-Hispanic and Hispanic/English speaking population according to PEW Internet and American Life Project

Access to TechnologyNational efforts are encouraging the use of HIT in underserved communities Health Information Technology ActOffice of the National Coordinator (ONC)Regional Extension Center Program (REC)

Provider OpportunitiesHealth information technology tools assist providers Improve decision making processesImproved Coordination of CareFacilitate quality improvement reportingMore cost effective

Patient Opportunities

Consumer Health Technology potential to help patients Cost effectivePersonal Health RecordsIncrease access to broader range of quality servicesRemote monitoring

Patient Opportunities Cont.

Patient EducationProvide interpretive programs in various languagesHealth KiosksOpportunistic kiosksIntegrated kiosks

Access Becomes Opportunity

Patient OpportunitiesProvider OpportunitiesEducationSafetyPatient Involvement

PATIENT SELF MANAGEMENT AND TELEMEDICINEBlesson Vargheese , RN

TelemedicineResearch shows that there is a critical health disparities among societal members of various racial and ethnic and racial backgrounds.Geographical inaccessibility, poverty, unavailability of qualified healthcare personnel and lack of consumer awareness critically contributes to this health disparity. Telemedicine and self management among these vulnerable individuals serve as critical medical mitigation tools that aim at alleviating this predicament. Telehealthcare and telemedicine systems works as a significant linkage between the healthcare provider and the patients.Telemedicine assists in offering medical as well as consultation services.

TelemedicineTelemedicine refers to the application of ICT in the provision of healthcare to individuals that have inaccessibility, owing their remote environments. Telemedicine can be perceived as exchange of information between two physicians and also between a healthcare provider and a patient, in an endeavor to promote self management. Conversely, telehealth encompasses the definition of telemedicine and also incorporates employment of telecommunication in the delivery of non-clinical services. Such services within telehealth may also encompass research, and promotion of health education. ICTs have the prospective to develop information management, access to health services, healthcare improvement, progress of high-quality healthcare, reducing unwarranted costs.

TelemedicineA telehealth is a critical system that enables patients to manage their various ailments better, thereby assisting in improving their wellbeing.Self management is critical in controlling chronic diseases such as diabetes and aids patients to lead quality lives. Various telehealthcare systems are available, and among them include the Bosch system.The Bosch system has been a significant too for self management, owing to its wide acceptability and use across the US and Europe.

TelemedicineCareful adherence and compliance to various systems of self management and telemedicine and self management has had patients experience positive effects on their health, particularly patients with long-term diseases. Various researches indicates that though numerous flaws may be experienced within the systems, the overall outcomes of the telemedicine systems serves critically to improve the patients health.This was evident in patients who may seem to be racially marginalized.An example is the African Americans who only constitute 17% of the US population but have a 49% HIV prevalence.Owing to the employment of the telemedicine systems, the control of this scourge has been significant, thereby improving their health.

TelemedicineTelehealth and telemedicine among individuals that are racially and geographically marginalized significantly employs technology in the mitigation measures. As such, it is critical to promote the use of various technology modes such as video conferencing and the internet. Access to the internet also poses another key predicament to these systems, owing to its inaccessibility and illiteracy among various members of these marginalized groups.It is critical to empower these marginalized members through various campaigns for embracing of technology and education promotion among these groups. Intervention of the government may critically serve in mitigating over this predicament, through the provision of funding for the process.

TelemedicinePatients and healthcare providers ought to apply ICT in their endeavor to alleviate various ailments. This will significantly help in reducing costs and improving healthcare to societal members considered to be remote. Inaccessibility of ICT among remote healthcare providers and patients continue to pose a major challenge to telehealth and telemedicine.The government ought to intervene in this predicament through the provision of funds and installation of ICT systems within these remote environments. Healthcare providers also ought to campaign for telemedicine in the remote areas in order to bridge the healthcare disparity and improve healthcare delivery.

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