The Use of  Clinical Systems to Improve Outcomes and Efficiencies Assignment

The Use of  Clinical Systems to Improve Outcomes and Efficiencies Assignment

Introduction

This paper presents an annotated bibliography summarizing recent research on the application of clinical systems and their impact on healthcare outcomes and efficiencies. The purpose is to explore how various clinical systems have been used to improve patient outcomes and streamline healthcare delivery.

Annotated Bibliography

Research Article 1

Lu Wenjie, Zhang Jiaming, & Jiang Weiyu. (2023). The difference and clinical application of modified thoracolumbar fracture classification scoring system in guiding clinical treatment. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 18(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-023-03958-4

In this article, Wenjie et al. discusses the clinical application of a modified thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score system (modified TLICS system) in guiding clinical treatment for patients with thoracolumbar fractures. The system was developed as an improvement to the existing TLICS system to address its limitations and enhance its effectiveness.

The study found that the use of the modified TLICS system significantly improved patient outcomes. Over an average follow-up duration of 19.2 months, patients demonstrated significant improvement in various outcome measures, including visual analog scale (VAS) score, modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, anterior vertebral height ratio, sagittal index, and Cobb angle. Additionally, neurological status also showed varying degrees of improvement. The systematic application of the modified TLICS system allowed clinicians to identify the severity of thoracolumbar fractures accurately and tailor treatment plans, leading to improved patient recovery and functional outcomes.

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By implementing the modified TLICS system, the research showed that clinicians achieved more streamlined and efficient decision-making in clinical treatment. The modified TLICS system facilitated a comprehensive evaluation of various injury parameters, aiding in the accurate classification of thoracolumbar fractures. The system’s modifications addressed the limitations of the original TLICS system, enabling healthcare providers to make more informed decisions regarding the need for surgery and the appropriate treatment approach. As a result, the operation rate for the modified TLICS system was slightly lower than that of the traditional TLICS system. This suggests that the modified system contributed to the more efficient allocation of surgical resources while still achieving favorable patient outcomes.

The study provides valuable insights into the application of clinical systems in orthopedic settings. The development and implementation of the modified TLICS system offer a valuable lesson on how continuous improvement and refinement of existing clinical systems can enhance their practicality and effectiveness. By addressing the limitations of the original TLICS system, the modified version demonstrated its potential as a reliable tool for thoracolumbar fracture classification and assessment. The study emphasizes the importance of iterative research and continuous feedback from clinicians to optimize clinical systems for better patient care and healthcare efficiency.

Research Article 2

Parva Paydar, Shole Ebrahimpour, Hanieh Zehtab Hashemi, Mehdi Mohamadi, & Soha Namazi. (2023). Design, Development, and Evaluation of an Application based on Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) for Over-The-Counter (OTC) Therapy: An Educational Interventions in Community Pharmacists. Journal of Advances in Medical Education and Professionalism, 11(2), 95–104. https://doi.org/10.30476/jamp.2022.95843.1661

Paydar et al, shows the implementation of a Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) in the form of an over-the-counter (OTC) therapy application for community pharmacists resulted in several improvements in outcomes. Firstly, the application significantly enhanced the knowledge and pharmaceutical skills of pharmacists in managing OTC therapy. By providing decision support and relevant information, pharmacists were better equipped to take comprehensive patient histories, make appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological recommendations, and identify when to refer patients to physicians. This ultimately led to more effective patient counseling and improved patient outcomes. Moreover, the application also contributed to a reduction in unnecessary referrals to physicians. Before using the CDSS-based application, a considerable percentage of patients were wrongly referred to physicians.

While the application increased the time taken to manage scenarios, it had a positive impact on overall efficiencies in patient care. Pharmacists spent more time collecting complete patient histories, resulting in more comprehensive evaluations and appropriate recommendations. Although the initial increase in time may seem inefficient, the overall outcome of improved decision-making and patient care justified this trade-off. Additionally, the mobile-based nature of the application offered ease of access and use for pharmacists in busy pharmacy settings. It allowed them to promptly access OTC therapy information and decision support, thereby enhancing their ability to counsel patients effectively and manage OTC-related situations efficiently.

The study yielded valuable lessons for the future application of CDSS-based tools in pharmacy practice. It highlighted the significant impact of such tools on enhancing patient care and pharmacist performance. The application acted as a valuable clinical support system, guiding pharmacists through patient evaluations and treatment decisions. This underscored the importance of integrating CDSS-based applications to improve patient outcomes and streamline decision-making processes in pharmacy practice. Additionally, user feedback from the evaluation using the user version of the mobile application rating scale (uMARS) questionnaire was essential in understanding user experience and application quality. The feedback provided valuable insights into the importance of user-centric design and continuous improvement to enhance user satisfaction and application performance.

Research Article 3

Shujuan Cao, Rongpei Zhang, Aixin Jiang, Mayila Kuerban, Aizezi Wumaier, Jianhua Wu, Kaihua Xie, Mireayi Aizezi, Abudurexiti Tuersun, Xuanwei Liang, & Rongxin Chen. (2023). Application effect of an artificial intelligence-based fundus screening system: evaluation in a clinical setting and population screening. BioMedical Engineering OnLine, 22(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12938-023-01097-9

Cao et al. explored the application of artificial intelligence (AI)-based fundus screening systems in the clinical environment has shown promising results in improving outcomes and efficiencies in the early detection and management of ocular fundus abnormalities. This study investigated the performance of an AI-based fundus screening system, focusing on diabetic retinopathy (DR), retinal vein occlusion (RVO), and pathological myopia (PM), in a real-world clinical setting. The study aimed to evaluate the system’s diagnostic effectiveness, and its application in population screening, and identify areas for further improvement and integration of systemic indicators.

Enhanced Diagnostic Accuracy: The AI-based fundus screening system demonstrated superior diagnostic effectiveness for diabetic retinopathy (DR), retinal vein occlusion (RVO), and pathological myopia (PM), with sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) all exceeding 80%. This improved accuracy leads to more precise and reliable diagnoses, enabling early detection and timely treatment, ultimately improving patient outcomes and preventing irreversible vision loss.

Resource Saving and Efficiency: By automating the screening process, the AI-based system analyzes many fundus images quickly and accurately, reducing the burden on healthcare professionals. This increased efficiency translates to faster diagnoses, allowing for more patients to be screened and diagnosed promptly. The system’s efficiency enhances the overall workflow in clinical settings, leading to more effective patient management and treatment.

Scalability and Population Screening: The AI-based fundus screening system’s diagnostic capabilities in the clinical environment were comparable to those in population screening. This scalability allows the system to be applied in primary healthcare facilities for large-scale screenings.

Identification of Areas for Improvement: The study identified areas for improvement in the AI system’s performance, particularly in its sensitivity to age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) and referable glaucoma. Lessons learned from the study provide valuable insights for future developments and updates to the AI algorithm. Focusing on enhancing accuracy and precision for these conditions will further optimize the system’s diagnostic capabilities.

Integration of Systemic Indicators: The study highlighted the potential to integrate the AI algorithm with systemic indicators, such as HbA1c levels for diabetic retinopathy diagnosis. This integration could significantly improve the system’s diagnostic capabilities, providing more comprehensive assessments of patients’ overall health.

Research Article 4

Gholamzadeh, M., Abtahi, H., & Safdari, R. (2023). The Application of Knowledge-Based Clinical Decision Support Systems to Enhance Adherence to Evidence-Based Medicine in Chronic Disease. Journal of Healthcare Engineering, 2023, 8550905. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/8550905

Gholamzadeh et al. discussed the application of clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) in chronic disease management has shown significant improvements in patient outcomes. By providing evidence-based recommendations and up-to-date information, CDSSs empower healthcare providers to make more accurate diagnoses and develop tailored treatment plans. This leads to better disease management, reduced complications, and improved patient health. CDSSs also help in identifying potential medical errors and providing timely alerts, contributing to enhanced patient safety and healthcare quality. With personalized patient care and targeted interventions, CDSSs play a vital role in improving clinical outcomes and patient well-being.

CDSSs have brought about substantial efficiencies in healthcare delivery. By automating the processing of patient data and presenting relevant information, CDSSs save clinicians valuable time and effort that would otherwise be spent searching for relevant medical literature and guidelines. This streamlining of the decision-making process allows healthcare providers to focus more on direct patient care and less on administrative tasks. As a result, CDSSs contribute to a more efficient and streamlined healthcare workflow, leading to enhanced productivity and resource utilization.

The implementation of CDSSs in clinical settings has provided valuable lessons for healthcare providers and developers. Challenges related to system integration, user acceptance, data quality, and clinician resistance to change have been encountered. To address these challenges, effective training, engagement with end-users, and continuous monitoring and evaluation of system performance have been essential. Additionally, adapting CDSSs to diverse clinical settings and patient populations has been critical for maximizing their impact.

In conclusion, the application of clinical decision support systems in chronic disease management has led to significant improvements in patient outcomes, enhanced efficiencies in healthcare delivery, and valuable lessons learned. By addressing challenges, embracing continuous learning, and upholding ethical considerations, CDSSs can continue to play a pivotal role in advancing patient care and healthcare quality.

Conclusion

The four peer-reviewed research articles presented in this annotated bibliography collectively provide valuable insights into the application of clinical systems and their impact on healthcare outcomes and efficiencies. These studies cover various domains within healthcare, including orthopedics, pharmacy practice, ophthalmology, and chronic disease management. A cohesive conclusion can be drawn from these findings to highlight the overall benefits and lessons learned from using clinical systems in diverse healthcare settings.

Firstly, the studies consistently demonstrate that the implementation of clinical systems leads to significant improvements in patient outcomes. In the orthopedic setting, the modified thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score system (modified TLICS system) improved patient recovery and functional outcomes for thoracolumbar fractures. In pharmacy practice, the Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) for over-the-counter (OTC) therapy resulted in more effective patient counseling and reduced unnecessary referrals to physicians. In ophthalmology, the AI-based fundus screening system showed enhanced diagnostic accuracy for various ocular abnormalities, leading to timely treatment and preventing irreversible vision loss. Moreover, the application of knowledge-based CDSSs in chronic disease management improved patient health, reduced complications, and enhanced adherence to evidence-based medicine.

Secondly, the research highlights the efficiencies gained by using clinical systems. In orthopedics, the modified TLICS system facilitated more streamlined and efficient decision-making, optimizing surgical resource allocation while achieving favorable patient outcomes. The CDSS-based application in pharmacy practice, despite increasing the time taken to manage scenarios, improved overall efficiencies in patient care by enabling more comprehensive evaluations and appropriate recommendations. The AI-based fundus screening system in ophthalmology automated the screening process, saving time for healthcare professionals and allowing for large-scale population screenings. In chronic disease management, CDSSs saved clinicians time and effort, leading to a more efficient healthcare workflow and enhanced productivity.

The lessons learned from these studies emphasize the importance of continuous improvement and refinement of clinical systems. The development of the modified TLICS system, the user-centric design of the CDSS-based application, and the identification of areas for improvement in the AI-based fundus screening system all highlight the value of iterative research and continuous feedback from healthcare professionals. Additionally, the studies underscore the significance of integrating clinical systems with systemic indicators and adapting them to diverse clinical settings and patient populations to maximize their impact.

In conclusion, the findings from these research articles collectively demonstrate that clinical systems play a crucial role in enhancing healthcare outcomes and efficiencies. By improving patient care, streamlining decision-making processes, and saving valuable time and resources, these systems contribute to overall healthcare quality and effectiveness. Moreover, the lessons learned from their implementation provide valuable guidance for future developments and improvements in clinical systems, ensuring continuous enhancement of patient care and healthcare delivery.

 References

Gholamzadeh, M., Abtahi, H., & Safdari, R. (2023). The Application of Knowledge-Based Clinical Decision Support Systems to Enhance Adherence to Evidence-Based Medicine in Chronic Disease. Journal of Healthcare Engineering, 2023, 8550905. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/8550905

Lu Wenjie, Zhang Jiaming, & Jiang Weiyu. (2023). The difference and clinical application of modified thoracolumbar fracture classification scoring system in guiding clinical treatment. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 18(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-023-03958-4

Parva Paydar, Shole Ebrahimpour, Hanieh Zehtab Hashemi, Mehdi Mohamadi, & Soha Namazi. (2023). Design, Development, and Evaluation of an Application based on Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) for Over-The-Counter (OTC) Therapy: An Educational Interventions in Community Pharmacists. Journal of Advances in Medical Education and Professionalism, 11(2), 95–104. https://doi.org/10.30476/jamp.2022.95843.1661

Shujuan Cao, Rongpei Zhang, Aixin Jiang, Mayila Kuerban, Aizezi Wumaier, Jianhua Wu, Kaihua Xie, Mireayi Aizezi, Abudurexiti Tuersun, Xuanwei Liang, & Rongxin Chen. (2023). Application effect of an artificial intelligence-based fundus screening system: evaluation in a clinical setting and population screening. BioMedical Engineering OnLine, 22(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12938-023-01097-9

Health Care Technology Trend Related to Data/Information

Healthcare has evolved and improved over the years with the use of technology and electronic health resources which help in providing real time care for patients and improve patient participation (HealthIT.gov, 2018).  Looking back, the many improvements enjoyed in healthcare today are because of direct benefit from the electronic health resources that have been perfected over the years. The use of the I-Mobile, which makes care effective and fast in my facility, is a clear example. Previously using direct cell phones to transmit patient information was in direct violation of HIPAA. With better health related soft-wares mobile applications, cell phones are now used to effectively transmit patient information’s without violating HIPAA.

The use of HM-Cure is one of the many software applications that allow effective and efficient use of cell-phones to transmit patient information without HIPAA violations. These mobile devices can help inform the unit, even the whole hospital, about critical information relating to patient using the broadcasting feature to coordinate care. In my case, I work with a whole group of therapists who need to always know the whereabout of their patients to effectively initiate and continue care. In all, mobile technology has served to provide tools that has improved care and coordination of patient health (Ho et al., 2019).

Challenges and benefits regarding I-Mobile use in hospital.

As described by Baniasadi, et al., (2018) “Mobile health encompasses remote and wireless applications to provide health services”. I-Mobile has significantly helped in the way call lights are answered, reducing patient incidents associated with falls. It has helped in communicating critical information to the care team. Receiving and making calls directly without leaving the care of patients has become an easy practice due to calls being managed directly using I-mobile. Nurses can receive real time orders to care for their patients in a timely manner.

The challenges involved with I-Mobile are Wi-Fi connectivity and interrupted calls which has always been an issue but improving over time due user feedbacks Some Apps on the mobile device take time to learn and most older nurses who are not tech savvy might find it daunting at times. For instance, there is an App on the I-Mobile named the “media manager”. This App aids in taking pictures of a patient’s skin and transmits the information for storage in the patient data for future reference and documentation. It took about 6 months after education for some members of my team to grasp the appropriate usage of the App for correct documentation and billing. In this case lack of technology acceptance and the commitment of usage to the new technology contributed to the risk of losing important patient data needed for the care of patients (Baniasadi, et al., 2018). This can lead to billing and reimbursement issues from insurance companies and cost the hospital huge sums of money.

The Potential Benefits and Risk of Data Safety, Legislation and Patient Care Technologies

The benefit of data storage and safety is of utmost importance to every health care facility. Data if managed appropriately can yield rewarding results for healthcare institutions and patients and provide better patient care outcomes (Dykes et al., 2017). Data from EHR provide information about patient’s laboratory results, communicate the overall history of a patient regarding allergies, imaging results which providers may use for continuity of care, meaning it houses information technology. The Patient Safety and Quality improvement Act of 2005 grants patient protection during the use of data collection for patient safety and quality improvement research by hospitals. Because of challenges and risks in sharing data the Health Insurance and Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA), Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) to name a few were legislatures enacted to help share data securely for patient safety and privacy while improving patient care outcomes and encouraging research analysis with the data received securely (Milstead and Short, 2019).

Patient health portals are also available to help patient and physicians communicate and begin treatment plan if accessed properly. With high risk patients an information entered wrongly due to misunderstanding in system use can lead to adverse events and may pose a risk to the patient (Kahler et al., 2016). Patient confidentiality is at risk because during routine biomedical checks, credit card payment of services and other modalities that contribute to patient data collection may be accessed by other institutions and authorities like the states which may use such data to gather information about illegal immigrants and outlaws. This can contribute to distrust in the healthcare system (Thimbleby, 2013).

Promising Technology Trends Impacting Healthcare Delivery.

Healthcare delivery has been transformed with the introduction of technology. Today there are many promising technological trends in health care delivery. While others may argue that technology is dehumanizing clinicians’ interactions with patients, there is no mistake that technology has its merits. The current Covid-19 pandemic amplified a new trend in medicine known as telemedicine or telehealth which is very promising trend in healthcare. Most states have seen the many benefits of telehealth and have enacted laws for patients to benefit from this innovative way of healthcare delivery. Most people either have busy schedules or live in remote areas and find it difficult to access healthcare and with the introduction of this feature in healthcare delivery, more people are accessing healthcare more than ever.

A patient needing a two-week appointment postsurgical in a rehab facility should be able to have access to their surgeon to assess the incision and give orders to help facilitate care for the patient without having to wait post discharge to see their surgeon, telemedicine makes this possible. The future is bright for healthcare with technological innovations. Surgeons have also begun using Da Vinci Robotic system aiding in complex surgical procedures, tremendously decreasing post-surgical infections due to limited human contact during surgery (Ayala-Yáñez et al., 2013). These trends are promising because of the positive data supporting the trends. Robotic surgical patients tend to loss less blood during the surgical procedure and that means decreased in hospital stay and overall better outcomes. Telehealth helps to deliver care to people who would otherwise not seek healthcare due to health accessibility or geographical location. I can see the same trend as how online education started and has now gained popularity and prominence.

References

Ayala-Yáñez R, Olaya-Guzmán E. J., Haghenbeck, A. J., (2013) Robotics in Gynecology: Why is this Technology Worth pursuing? Clinical Medicine Insights: Reproductive Health, 7. doi:10.4137/CMRH.S10850

 Baniasadi, T., Niakan Kalhori, S. R., Ayyoubzadeh, S. M., Zakerabasali S., Pourmohamadkhan, M. (2018) Study of challenges to utilise mobile-based health care monitoring systems: A descriptive literature review. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare. 24(10):661-668. doi:10.1177/1357633X18804747

Links to an external site.

Dykes, P. C., Rozenblum, R., Dalal, A., Massaro, A., Chang, F., Clements, M., Collins, S. …Bates, D. W. (2017). Prospective evaluation of a multifaceted intervention to improve outcomes in intensive care: The Promoting Respect and Ongoing Safety Through Patient Engagement Communication and Technology Study Download Prospective evaluation of a multifaceted intervention to improve outcomes in intensive care: The Promoting Respect and Ongoing Safety Through Patient Engagement Communication and Technology Study. Critical Care Medicine, 45(8), e806–e813. doi:10.1097/CCM.0000000000002449

HealthIT.gov. (2018c). What is an electronic health record (EHR)

Links to an external site. https://www.healthit.gov/faq/what-electronic-health-record-ehr

Ho, Y.-M., Hou, P.-Y., & Chen, K. B. (2019). Future Direction of Healthcare: Leverage Text Analytics to Identify Health Information Technology Trends. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Human Factors and Ergonomics in Health Care, 8(1), 90–91. https://doi.org/10.1177/2327857919081020

Links to an external site.

Kahler, H., Flanagan, T., & Keogh, C. (2016). A Method for Identifying and Evaluating Potential Patient Safety Risks in a Patient-Facing Healthcare Portal. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Human Factors and Ergonomics in Health Care, 5(1), 98–99. https://doi.org/10.1177/2327857916051024

Links to an external site.

Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning

Thimbleby, H., (2013). Technology and the Future of Healthcare. Journal of Public Health Research. 2(3). doi:10.4081/jphr.2013.e28

Assignment: Literature Review: The Use of Clinical Systems to Improve Outcomes and Efficiencies

New technology—and the application of existing technology—only appears in healthcare settings after careful and significant research. The stakes are high, and new clinical systems need to offer evidence of positive impact on outcomes or efficiencies.

Nurse informaticists and healthcare leaders formulate clinical system strategies. As these strategies are often based on technology trends, informaticists and others have then benefited from consulting existing research to inform their thinking.

In this Assignment, you will review existing research focused on the application of clinical systems. After reviewing, you will summarize your findings.

To Prepare:

Identify and select 5 peer-reviewed articles from your research.

THE ASSIGNMENT: (4-5 pages)

Conduct a search for recent (within the last 5 years, peer reviewed) research focused on the application of clinical systems

Review the Resources and reflect on the impact of clinical systems on outcomes and efficiencies within the context of nursing practice and healthcare delivery.

In chronic illness management, it is always advisable to ensure that patients are comfortable as much as possible. As health care providers try to achieve this objective, it is critical to ensure that cancer patients are closely monitored and are facilitated to inquire about a health issue at their convenience. Growing evidence shows that the widespread use of health information technology helps advance patient-centered care, and patient portals play a pivotal role in increasing patient engagement (Baldwin et al., 2016). As access to health information increase, patient portals also improve medication adherence (Dendere et al., 2019) and improve patients’ overall attitude towards health care (Irizarry et al., 2015; Groen et al., 2017). Research on the link between patient portals and outcomes is extensive and helps justify why patient portals have increasingly become an integral part of oncology care.

Aljabri, D., Dumitrascu, A., Burton, M. C., White, L., Khan, M., Xirasagar, S., … & Naessens, J. (2018). Patient portal adoption and use by hospitalized cancer patients: a retrospective study of its impact on adverse events, utilization, and patient satisfaction. BMC medical informatics and decision making, 18(1), 70. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-018-0644-4

This article is based on the premise that technology incorporation in health care provision increases due to its perceived benefits. Broadly, Aljabri et al. (2018) assess the connection between the use of patient portals and self-management and their predisposing and enabling determinants. They deduce that patients show encouraging results in satisfaction and self-management when they receive information via patient portals. Access to information is important in home, outpatient settings, and when patients are hospitalized. Through the various deductions made, Aljabri et al. (2018) show the areas of cancer care where patient portals benefit patients the most. They mention that, through patient portals, cancer patients can get accurate information during the hospital stay or any stage of care. This unlimited access to customized information about their status makes them more informed and ready to ask questions regarding their health status.

The overall deduction is that patient portals are useful for cancer patients at any level. For instance, as Aljabri et al. (2018) reveal, the portal technology allows inpatient to meet informational needs and improve their care during and after hospitalization. From a general perspective, patient portals provide care providers and cancer patients with a platform to facilitate awareness. However, it is important to expand portal functionality for better patient outcomes since it is not everyone conversant with technology.

Girault, A., Ferrua, M., Lalloué, B., Sicotte, C., Fourcade, A., Yatim, F., … & Minvielle, E. (2015). Internet-based technologies to improve cancer care coordination: Current use and attitudes among cancer patients. European Journal of Cancer, 51(4), 551-557. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejca.2014.12.001

This study is centered on the premise that many changes in health care at large alter cancer care delivery. Girault et al. (2015) argue that clinical advances based on technology have brought numerous cancer care changes, with outpatient care services increasing as inpatient care decreases. As an internet-based service, patient portals have been recognized as a significant leveler as far as improving cancer care coordination practices. Broadly, Girault et al. (2015) assess the current utilization of internet-based technologies (IBTs) among cancer patients while focusing on attitudes and other factors that influence their use.

As Girault et al. (2015) suggest, patient portals, as part of IBTs, have profound impacts on cancer patients’ illness management. They argue that many patients value IBTs’ use in health care since it enhances communication between patients and care providers. For instance, a patient can securely message a doctor through a patient portal, request prescription refills, and get information on discharge summaries. Based on the data and advice that they receive, the patient can promptly make decisions about their health. The prompt actions prevent a situation where the disease reaches severity levels without giving it the necessary attention. The greatest lesson from this article is that patient-provider communication is more effective when using IBTs and improves patient outcomes by enabling them to make health-related decisions promptly.

Irizarry, T., Shoemake, J., Nilsen, M. L., Czaja, S., Beach, S., & DeVito Dabbs, A. (2017). Patient portals as a tool for health care engagement: A mixed-method study of older adults with varying levels of health literacy and prior patient portal use. Journal of medical Internet research, 19(3), e99. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.7099

Growing research reveals that the severity of a chronic illness usually increases with a patient’s age. Like cancer patients, older people experience many challenges, and this population segment requires more help. Irizarry et al. (2017) confirm that technology awareness is a real issue in the adoption of patient portals among older adults. Even if the necessary adaptations are made to the portal design, older people need a lot of help to access and use web-based information. If helped appropriately to the extent of even changing their attitudes, Irizarry et al. (2017) suggest that patient portals, as the primary access point for personal health information, help improve older people’s health care engagement. The increased engagement improves patient-provider coordination, which is important in enabling quick response to illness. Such practices improve self-management and reduce the overall cost of health care provision among vulnerable groups such as older people.

Although clinical systems such as patient portals improve patient outcomes, it is important to understand that different population segments face varying challenges depending on their vulnerability levels.  Irizarry et al. (2017) help to highlight the problem that older people face. As a result, the article helps show the importance of patient portals in improving self-management among cancer patients and highlighting the areas of concern that should be addressed to make the situation better.

Kruse, C. S., Argueta, D. A., Lopez, L., & Nair, A. (2015). Patient and provider attitudes toward the use of patient portals for the management of chronic disease: A systematic review. Journal of medical Internet research, 17(2), e40. DOI: 10.2196/jmir.3703

This study starts by providing shocking details about the prevalence of cancer and other chronic diseases such as stroke, diabetes, and coronary heart disease in the United States.  As a way of emphasizing the need for advanced care for cancer, Kruse et al. (2015) suggest that half of the United States population suffered from a chronic disease as of 2012. Due to the severity of the situation and possible risks in the future, patient portals play an instrumental role in improving patient self-management of chronic illnesses and help health care providers to improve the quality of overall care. As systems focusing on improving efficiency, Kruse et al. (2015) suggest that patient portals are associated with positive patient-provider communication and quick access to health care advice.

Despite their general acceptance in health care provision, Kruse et al. (2015) also highlight some concerns that limit patient portals’ effectiveness in managing patients with a chronic illness such as cancer. They note that security concerns and user-friendliness are the most prevalent negative concerns. Patients’ unfamiliarity with advanced technology is the genesis of negative perceptions. Cost issues deter care providers from implementing patient portals into their practice. Regarding that, it is important to note that the integration of patient portals in oncology care faces attitude problems that should be cleared before patients are advised to use the system.

Conclusion

In sum, the reviewed articles confirm that patient portals play an integral role in improving patient engagement and illness management in oncology care. Patients with cancer require close monitoring and timely response, and patient portals have helped care providers achieve this objective. As an access point to health data, patient portals help patients view a broad range of information that they cannot access without such technologies. They can view discharge summaries and remotely message a doctor as the situation prompts. Due to the close connection between a care provider and the patient and the possibility of timely response, the system facilitates engagement and gives patients advice that helps them focus more on self-care. Such outcomes are vital in oncology care, given that inattention can be fatal due to the severity of cancer as a chronic condition.

References

Aljabri, D., Dumitrascu, A., Burton, M. C., White, L., Khan, M., Xirasagar, S., … & Naessens, J. (2018). Patient portal adoption and use by hospitalized cancer patients: a retrospective study of its impact on adverse events, utilization, and patient satisfaction. BMC medical informatics and decision making, 18(1), 70. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-018-0644-4

Dendere, R., Slade, C., Burton-Jones, A., Sullivan, C., Staib, A., & Janda, M. (2019). Patient portals facilitating engagement with inpatient electronic medical records: A systematic review. Journal of medical Internet research, 21(4), e12779. https://doi.org/10.2196/12779

Girault, A., Ferrua, M., Lalloué, B., Sicotte, C., Fourcade, A., Yatim, F., … & Minvielle, E. (2015). Internet-based technologies to improve cancer care coordination: Current use and attitudes among cancer patients. European Journal of Cancer, 51(4), 551-557. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejca.2014.12.001

Groen, W. G., Kuijpers, W., Oldenburg, H. S., Wouters, M. W., Aaronson, N. K., & van Harten, W. H. (2017). Supporting lung cancer patients with an interactive patient portal: Feasibility study. JMIR cancer, 3(2), e10. DOI: 10.2196/cancer.7443

Irizarry, T., DeVito Dabbs, A., & Curran, C. R. (2015). Patient portals and patient engagement: a state of the science review. Journal of medical Internet research, 17(6), e148. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.4255

Irizarry, T., Shoemake, J., Nilsen, M. L., Czaja, S., Beach, S., & DeVito Dabbs, A. (2017). Patient portals as a tool for health care engagement: A mixed-method study of older adults with varying levels of health literacy and prior patient portal use. Journal of medical Internet research, 19(3), e99. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.7099

Kruse, C. S., Argueta, D. A., Lopez, L., & Nair, A. (2015). Patient and provider attitudes toward the use of patient portals for the management of chronic disease: A systematic review. Journal of medical Internet research, 17(2), e40. DOI: 10.2196/jmir.3703

The research should provide evidence to support the use of one specific type of clinical system to improve outcomes and/or efficiencies, such as(for example) “the use of personal health records or portals to support patients newly diagnosed with diabetes.”

In a 4- to 5-page paper, synthesize the 5 peer-reviewed research you reviewed. Be sure to address the following:

-Identify the 5 peer-reviewed articles you reviewed, citing each in APA format.

-Summarize each study, explaining the improvement to outcomes, efficiencies, and lessons learned from the application of the clinical system each peer-reviewed article described. Be specific and provide examples.

ORDER NOW FOR AN ORIGINAL PAPER ASSIGNMENT: The Use of  Clinical Systems to Improve Outcomes and Efficiencies Assignment

You must proofread your paper. But do not strictly rely on your computer’s spell-checker and grammar-checker; failure to do so indicates a lack of effort on your part and you can expect your grade to suffer accordingly. Papers with numerous misspelled words and grammatical mistakes will be penalized. Read over your paper – in silence and then aloud – before handing it in and make corrections as necessary. Often it is advantageous to have a friend proofread your paper for obvious errors. Handwritten corrections are preferable to uncorrected mistakes.

Use a standard 10 to 12 point (10 to 12 characters per inch) typeface. Smaller or compressed type and papers with small margins or single-spacing are hard to read. It is better to let your essay run over the recommended number of pages than to try to compress it into fewer pages.

Likewise, large type, large margins, large indentations, triple-spacing, increased leading (space between lines), increased kerning (space between letters), and any other such attempts at “padding” to increase the length of a paper are unacceptable, wasteful of trees, and will not fool your professor.

The paper must be neatly formatted, double-spaced with a one-inch margin on the top, bottom, and sides of each page. When submitting hard copy, be sure to use white paper and print out using dark ink. If it is hard to read your essay, it will also be hard to follow your argument.

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CLASS

Discussion Questions (DQ)

Initial responses to the DQ should address all components of the questions asked, include a minimum of one scholarly source, and be at least 250 words.
Successful responses are substantive (i.e., add something new to the discussion, engage others in the discussion, well-developed idea) and include at least one scholarly source.
One or two sentence responses, simple statements of agreement or “good post,” and responses that are off-topic will not count as substantive. Substantive responses should be at least 150 words.
I encourage you to incorporate the readings from the week (as applicable) into your responses.

Weekly Participation

Your initial responses to the mandatory DQ do not count toward participation and are graded separately.
In addition to the DQ responses, you must post at least one reply to peers (or me) on three separate days, for a total of three replies.
Participation posts do not require a scholarly source/citation (unless you cite someone else’s work).
Part of your weekly participation includes viewing the weekly announcement and attesting to watching it in the comments. These announcements are made to ensure you understand everything that is due during the week.

APA Format and Writing Quality

Familiarize yourself with APA format and practice using it correctly. It is used for most writing assignments for your degree. Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for APA paper templates, citation examples, tips, etc. Points will be deducted for poor use of APA format or absence of APA format (if required).
Cite all sources of information! When in doubt, cite the source. Paraphrasing also requires a citation.
I highly recommend using the APA Publication Manual, 6th edition.

Use of Direct Quotes

I discourage overutilization of direct quotes in DQs and assignments at the Masters’ level and deduct points accordingly.
As Masters’ level students, it is important that you be able to critically analyze and interpret information from journal articles and other resources. Simply restating someone else’s words does not demonstrate an understanding of the content or critical analysis of the content.
It is best to paraphrase content and cite your source.

LopesWrite Policy

For assignments that need to be submitted to LopesWrite, please be sure you have received your report and Similarity Index (SI) percentage BEFORE you do a “final submit” to me.
Once you have received your report, please review it. This report will show you grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors that can easily be fixed. Take the extra few minutes to review instead of getting counted off for these mistakes.
Review your similarities. Did you forget to cite something? Did you not paraphrase well enough? Is your paper made up of someone else’s thoughts more than your own?
Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for tips on improving your paper and SI score.

Late Policy

The university’s policy on late assignments is 10% penalty PER DAY LATE. This also applies to late DQ replies.
Please communicate with me if you anticipate having to submit an assignment late. I am happy to be flexible, with advance notice. We may be able to work out an extension based on extenuating circumstances.
If you do not communicate with me before submitting an assignment late, the GCU late policy will be in effect.
I do not accept assignments that are two or more weeks late unless we have worked out an extension.
As per policy, no assignments are accepted after the last day of class. Any assignment submitted after midnight on the last day of class will not be accepted for grading.

Communication

Communication is so very important. There are multiple ways to communicate with me:
Questions to Instructor Forum: This is a great place to ask course content or assignment questions. If you have a question, there is a good chance one of your peers does as well. This is a public forum for the class.
Individual Forum: This is a private forum to ask me questions or send me messages. This will be checked at least once every 24 hours.