First Topic:
The IT system application that I chose was the internet and eHealth.
Through the implementation of the internet, communications have
changed for the benefit of society (Maksimovic & Vujovic, 2017). The
internet allows for patient records to be kept via computers, and
allows for access to those records from any location if specific access
was granted. Healthcare facilities that use eHealth have increased
their methods of communication that can include “person-to-person,
human-to-machine, and machine-to-machine” (Maksimovic &
Vujovic, 2017). This allows for patients to talk directly to their doctor
via computer, which gives patients more freedom and opportunity to
have healthcare services provided. Some patients may not be able to
schedule physical appointments due to their work schedules, but with
eHealth, they can contact their doctor at their convenience and ask
questions outside of normal working hours. The internet helps to
improve "hardware and software components” which helps to keep
patient records as safe and confidential as possible (Maksimovic &
Vujovic, 2017).
Second Topic:
The diffusion of technology is accompanied largely by cost. In order
for there to be advancements in medicine, technology has to be
innovative to be able to sustain the new advancements. But as
technology is improved, the cost to have and use that technology has
a high price tag attached to it. These new advancements usually mean
a price increase for healthcare coverage, creating a larger number of
people who opt out of health insurance altogether due to their
inability to afford it (Callahan, 2015). Even though new technology is
meant to be more efficient for less cost to the patient, the process to
get to that point will still cost someone a large sum of money. Cost is
the most important area to focus on for technology diffusion because
if facilities do not have the funds to buy advanced technology, they
will fall behind other facilities that can afford the upgrades. “Medical
technology is highly valued as a beloved feature of American
medicine”, which makes patients have higher expectations about
their appointments with new technology, compared to patients being
treated with outdated machines (Callahan, 2015).
Callahan, D. (2015). Health care costs and medical technology. The
Hastings Center.
https://www.thehastingscenter.org/briefingbook/health-care-costs-
and-medical-technology/
Maksimovic, M., and Vujovic, V. (2017). Internet of things based e-
health systems: ideas, expectations and concerns. SpringerLink.
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-58280-1_10
