Order 936014: Proposal

Background of Cloud Computing in the Discipline.

Cloud computing is an innovative, flexible and cost-effective on-demand, subscription-based service. It allows its users to obtain networked storage space, while simultaneously providing a variety of applications. The services work by using software and hardware resources provided by third-party organizations that are easy to use and access with the help of the Internet (Gorelik, 2013, p. 8), (Huth, Alexa; Cebula, James, 2011, p. 1).

In the healthcare sector, cloud computing offers a modernized service for its users and a fast answer to potential problems. It is very helpful in minimizing the complexity and simplifying the collaboration among the data systems. Cloud-based computing and its applications have the power to gather, integrate and analyze information from a variety of sources in real time. It does that by allowing healthcare providers to access the information needed to diagnose and treat patients at any time, anywhere, with the help of computers, phones, and tablets. At the same time, the data is kept secured by backing it up and replicating it to help recover the information if it is lost or damaged (Masrom & Rahimli, 2015, pp. 12-16). Additionally, cloud computing applications have the potential to economically revolutionize the healthcare industry at reduced costs. Users are only charged for what they use, and there is no need for startup expenditure of complicated systems and hardware installations. This pricing option reduces the need for maintenance and therefore reduces the need for IT experts required to keep it working properly (Barton, et al., 2017). Its ability to update, improve and expand with just a few clicks, while at the same time-saving energy is also one of the strengths of cloud computing (Lai, Trancong, & Coh), (Masrom & Rahimli, 2015).

Explanation of Criteria

Cloud-based computing applications for the medical industry should be evaluated using several criteria. The following characteristics must be considered to help highlight important aspects the applications should have for its usage. The applications to be used must be evaluated based on functionality, audience, features, price, privacy and security, service reliability, support integrations, portability and mobility (friendliness and compatibility), as well as the efficiency and performance of the application. The functionality is what the app does to cover the needs of its users in the field. Audience is the spectrum of target users that will be using the applications. The features are what the application must offer in terms of business solutions and services needed to complete a task. Portability is the ability of the app to be used without device restrictions when in different environments. The price of the applications is how much they cost, and if it is worth for its users in contrast to the app capabilities. Security is an important criterion, private patent information is very delicate, therefore, the apps in the field must guarantee the patient’s privacy is not violated and that their information stays secure. Reliability is the ability of the app to keep up with user demand without crashing or experiencing any other restriction. Friendliness is the difficulty level of the app, if the application is not easy to use, the target audience will have a hard time understanding how to use the app and its services. The efficiency is the capability of the app to effectively do what is supposed to, that way that no other third-party hardware, software is needed to complete the tasks expected from its users. Support is the level of helpfulness provided by the vendor. The vendor is responsible for troubleshooting any problems or difficulties the users may face, and aid with updating or upgrading their services and its components as technology advances.

The following criteria are examples of applications that could be used in the medical industry based on a Google search and App stores.

BioDigital

Function: Virtual Reality 3D Human Used to study the anatomy of the body and description of diseases

Audience: General public, Businesses, Educational and medical professionals.

Features: Human Anatomy, Human Medical Conditions, Authoring Tools, Web and Mobile Developer Tools, and Insights.

Portability: Web, iOS, and Android Mobile devices

Price: Free to the General public, Mobile Only Premium Plan for $9.99 per year, Web and Mobile Premium Plan for $48 per year

Security: Personal Information secured by Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and encryption. Not guaranteed security.

Reliability: Infrequent crashes, reports of slow speed

Friendliness: Easy to use after following the application tutorials

Efficiency: An almost complete modern software for teaching and learning.

Support: Free customer support and self-troubleshooting provided by the vendor.

Epocrates Plus

Function: Medication Reference.

Audience: Individual Use, Businesses, Healthcare professionals.

Features: Drug Information, Drug Interactions, Referrals Patient Resources.

Portability: iOS and Android Mobile Devices.

Price: Free, Aprocates Essentials for $174.99 per year.

Security: Data and Transmission encryption using Socket Layer Technology (SSL).

Reliability: Little to no crashes.

Friendliness: Easy to use and access information.

Efficiency: Acquires information from reliable sources such as medical journals.

Support: Monday through Friday free customer support by phone, email, and online chat.

Athena Health

Function: Management.

Audience: Hospitals & Health Systems and Small Medical Groups.

Features: HER, Practice Management, Revenue Cycle Management, Patient Engagement, Population Health Services, Order Transmissions, Patient Access and Care Coordination.

Portability: Web.

Price: $140 per month, per user.

Security: 24/7 On-demand multi-layered high-level security.

Reliability: Very little crashes.

Friendliness: Average

Efficiency: Wide variety of services for hospitals and medical groups

Support: Live locations, 1:1 Meetings, Email, Online Chat, Phone and Social Media.

UpToDate

Function: Database of Medical Information

Audience: Public, Physicians and Medical Organizations

Features: HER/CME/CE/CPD Integration, Podcasts, Webinars

Portability: Web, iOS, and Android Mobile Devices

Price: Free, $495 per year per person

Security: Basic security, little information provided.

Reliability: Little to no crashes.

Friendliness: Helpful and easy to use and access information.

Efficiency: Gathers data from studies, research, and journals.

Support: 24/7 Phone customer service.

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Function: Database storage with a wide variety of products and services.

Audience: Small and Big Companies

Features: Computing power, storage, management, services, security, development, analytics, etc.

Portability: Web and Mobile.

Price: Free Trial, varies based on the resources and applications used

Security: Security platform network, monitoring, mitigations, encryption, and testing.

Reliability: Highly reliable, focused on recovery and prevention.

Friendliness: Complex system

Efficiency: High performance, backed by Amazon.com Inc.

Support: Need an account for support, offers different support plans

Analysis

In summary, cloud computing has an almost infinite amount of benefits. After analyzing the results from the researched apps and the different criteria used to evaluate them, it can be said that most of them can be used by the general public, healthcare givers like nurses, doctors and pharmacists, small medical organizations like clinics, and big medical institutions like hospitals. The ability to use the various features and functions with more mobility, allows its users to easily get more done anywhere, at any time through many compatible devices. In addition, almost all applications researched have a variety of pricing options based on the needs of its audience, such as what platform they might use, or the size of the organization, which makes cloud computing a smart cost-effective service for every user. Another strength of every application is that it is the best technology available and it is flexible enough and easy to use to improve as it advances throughout the years. Moreover, it is a hassle-free service with the ongoing support of the third-party provider.

On the other hand, cloud computing and its applications do have some weaknesses. For more complex systems used in larger institutions, training might be required. Also, high speeds internet must always be available because cloud computing relies on it to work (Masrom & Rahimli, 2015, p. 15). Security in apps with less complexity might be vulnerable to data loss or damage by internal and/or external sources. Some of the apps do not have a strong security implementation, while bigger institutions might lose connectivity and therefore data due to its complexity. Furthermore, there is little to no local, national and international security standards for any occasion data is compromised, and data recovery and backup can be very intricate (Masrom & Rahimli, 2015, p. 16). Although the system is not perfect, the benefits outweigh the weakness of cloud computing. Arrangements can be discussed with the cloud service provider to address any concerns and prevent any unfortunate event from happening.

Overall, cloud computing has demonstrated to be a smart and intuitive decision that can positively affect the successful outcome of the medical field. Whether the services needed are big or small, personal or institutional, cloud computing application suits the need of any user, especially in the field of medicine as demonstrated above.

References Barton, J., Chin, F., Dotson, C., Edwards, M., Greer, M., Koumpan, E., . . . Underwood, M. (2017). Impact of Cloud Computing on Healthcare, Version 2.0. Cloud Standards Customer Council. Retrieved from http://www.cloud-council.org/deliverables/CSCC-Impact-of-Cloud-Computing-on-Healthcare.pdf Gorelik, E. (2013). Cloud Computing Models. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT Sloan School of Management and the MIT Engineering Systems Division. Cambridge: Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers Inc. Retrieved from http://web.mit.edu/smadnick/www/wp/2013-01.pdf Huth, Alexa; Cebula, James. (2011). The Basics of Cloud Computing. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team. Pittsburgh: Carnegie Mellon University. Retrieved from https://www.us-cert.gov/sites/default/files/publications/CloudComputingHuthCebula.pdf Lai, W. T., Trancong, H., & Coh, S. (n.d.). Chapter 1 Cloud Computing. In A Fresh Graduate’s Guide to Software Development Tools and Technologies (pp. 1-27). Retrieved from http://www.comp.nus.edu.sg/~seer/book/2e/Ch01.%20Cloud%20Computing.pdf Masrom, M., & Rahimli, A. (2015). Cloud computing adoption in the healthcare sector: A SWOT analysis. Asian Social Science, 11(10), 12-18. Retrieved 3 20, 2018, from http://ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/ass/article/view/47490