PHRs, patient portals could assist in chronic care management
Faster and more widely available internet access has improved lives in many ways but healthcare is lagging behind, considering the potential benefits of chronic disease management coupled with internet usage, according to an article in the fourth-quarter edition of International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics.
There is immense potential for the utilization of digitized personal health records (PHR) in chronic disease management, wrote Chif Umejei and Daniel Wiafe, researchers from the department of medical informatics at the State University of New York in Brooklyn.
Self-management of chronic disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can improve patient health and reduce hospital visits. "Disease management itself can be significantly improved by using current technological advancements such as the internet and digitized PHRs," the researchers stated. "PHRs have been used to store patient clinical history but coupling their use to disease management could make capable patients more active participants in their healthcare."
Currently, a PHR will contain information about a patient, usually accessible to healthcare workers, some caregivers and patients, including:
For patients with a chronic disease, there is a need for continued patient education as well as ongoing documentation of symptoms, medication and side effects, Umejei and Wiafe stated.
"With computer technology there is the opportunity to provide dynamic data communication and real-time patient education specifically at the point of care," the authors wrote. Their research team suggested that demand for a PHR portal-type system would be high, yet no current implementations fulfill the various demands.
A healthcare portal that utilizes PHRs would improve the dialogue between patient and healthcare worker and so could improve patient health overall, the team concluded. Such an "application provides an opportunity to facilitate communications as well as make the consumer an active part in the management of their care," the researchers wrote.
There is immense potential for the utilization of digitized personal health records (PHR) in chronic disease management, wrote Chif Umejei and Daniel Wiafe, researchers from the department of medical informatics at the State University of New York in Brooklyn.
Self-management of chronic disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can improve patient health and reduce hospital visits. "Disease management itself can be significantly improved by using current technological advancements such as the internet and digitized PHRs," the researchers stated. "PHRs have been used to store patient clinical history but coupling their use to disease management could make capable patients more active participants in their healthcare."
Currently, a PHR will contain information about a patient, usually accessible to healthcare workers, some caregivers and patients, including:
- Identification sheet: Registration form with contact and insurance details;
- Problem list: The patient's significant illnesses and operations;
- Medication record: Medicines prescribed and medication allergies;
- History and physical: Major illnesses and surgery, significant family history, health habits, and current medications. Physician's findings on examination;
- Progress notes: Notes made by the healthcare workers on observations and treatment plans;
- Consultation: Healthcare worker opinions about health conditions; and
- Physician's orders: Directions to other healthcare workers regarding medication, tests, diet and treatment.
For patients with a chronic disease, there is a need for continued patient education as well as ongoing documentation of symptoms, medication and side effects, Umejei and Wiafe stated.
"With computer technology there is the opportunity to provide dynamic data communication and real-time patient education specifically at the point of care," the authors wrote. Their research team suggested that demand for a PHR portal-type system would be high, yet no current implementations fulfill the various demands.
A healthcare portal that utilizes PHRs would improve the dialogue between patient and healthcare worker and so could improve patient health overall, the team concluded. Such an "application provides an opportunity to facilitate communications as well as make the consumer an active part in the management of their care," the researchers wrote.