E-PATIENT

Sayson, Dion Ann - 2A
Suelan, Carmela Beatriz - 2A
Tenefrancia, Gilean Gayle - 2A
Trivilegio, Gabrielle Nina - 2A
Zaragoza, Alex - 2A
Villaran, Lanz Louis - 2C

1) WHAT IS E-HEALTH?

         E-health is a use of digital technologies and telecommunications, such as computers, the Internet, and mobile devices, to facilitate health improvement and healthcare services. It is often used alongside traditional “off-line” (non-digital) approaches for the delivery of information directed to the patient and the health care consumer.

Advantages

• Providing accurate, up-to-date, and complete information about patients at the point of care
• Enabling quick access to patient records for more coordinated, efficient care
• Securely sharing electronic information with patients and other clinicians
• Helping providers more effectively diagnose patients, reduce medical errors, and provide safer care
• Improving patient and provider interaction and communication, as well as healthcare convenience
• Enabling safer, more reliable prescribing
• Helping promote legible, complete documentation and accurate, streamlined coding and billing
• Enhancing privacy and security of patient data
• Helping providers improve productivity and work-life balance
• Enabling providers to improve efficiency and meet their business goals
• Reducing costs through decreased paperwork, improved safety, reduced duplication of testing, and improved health.

Disadvantages

• One of the main disadvantages of the eHealth system is that it is time and cost consuming. The start-up cost of this system is too high.
• As all the health-related data of people will store on electronic databases then it might be vulnerable to several cyber-attacks such as denial of service attacks, phishing attack, malware attacks etc.
• Security and privacy of each person will be on a stake, as they feel their data might get a breach.
• Special training of electronic medical records will be required for people. Along with this, the software will add additional expense in paying people to take training (ELLIOTT et al., 2012).
• Due to the instantaneous nature of eHealth records, electronic health records must be updated immediately after the patients’ visit. If this not happens then the next doctor will rely on inaccurate data for treatment protocols.
• People will more get panic whenever they get a false alarm or misinterpret a file entry.
• There are several liability issues are there with Electronic Health Records implementation. For example, medical records may get destroyed or lost during the transition from a paper-based system to an electronic-based system which could lead to inappropriate treatment (J Johnson III, 2016).

2) WHAT IS E-PATIENT?

• ●  Is a person that tries to participate fully in his or her medical care by gaining information, seeking advice, and finding support about their condition via sources such as the internet. A broader definition of an ePatient can include individuals that do so on behalf of a friend or family member.
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• ●  The “e” is commonly understood to mean electronic, which was true at first. But over time, it has come to stand for empowered, engaged, equipped, and enabled.
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• ●  Enabled. They have (or have been given) the means, ability, and power to participate in their own health
  
  
• ●  Engaged in their own medical care because they find it important to be engaged.
  
  
• ●  Equal. In other words, they see themselves as an equal partner with their doctor when it comes to participating in their medical care and making the best decision for them.

Advantages

• Health educators can analyze user comments for insights on a certain health topic or disease and identify educational needs. They can then offer correct information and awareness of new treatments to large online patient communities.
• When e-patients communicate with one another and share their experiences, new community members get support and information that will empower them to take an active role in their health care. 
• Patients and physicians can work together as full partners to focus on the goal of improving patient health.

Disadvantages

• Faulty information about their condition.
• Physicians worry that patients will become too independent and stray from their physicians entirely, creating adverse effects on patient health.

Examples of E-Patient Blogs and Websites

1. E-patient Dave
2. Acor.org 
3. https://www.mannyhernandez.co/ 
4. http://reginaholliday.blogspot.com/ 
5. https://participatorymedicine.org/epatients/

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3) HISTORY OF E-PATIENT

         The physician that first coined the term “e-patient” was Dr. Tom Ferguson. His aim was to encourage patients to take hold of their own health, collect information, and collaborate with doctors in regards to their health information. According to Meghana Hegdekar, who published a research paper on the emergence of e-patients, a movement was needed in order to push the idea of e-patients forward. This participatory movement resulted in the organization of the Society for Participatory Medicine (SPM) and launching of the the Journal of Participatory Medicine.

         The internet has played a great role in the development of e-patients, contributing to the vast information and knowledge needed for e-patients to be well informed about their health. In doing so, they have the ability to supply their opinions and participate in the interventions of healthcare. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn has also contributed to the development. I surge of visitors was noted as new smartphones were released along with their tablet applications. “Research compiled by Media Bistro revealed that social media is equally an influential driver of health-related material, with 40 percent of the consumers claiming that information found via social media affects the way they deal with their health, citing emotional support and instant gratification as two of the reasons to embrace social health communications” (Garvin). The implications of this research suggests that the e-patients use several different platforms, be it social media or the web, in gathering information in regards to healthcare and overall physical wellness.

         According to Pew Research survey released in 2012, 72% of internet users searched health information on the Web. This entails that most people are capable and willing to participate in their healthcare. The release of the iPhone in 2007 resulted in many individuals acquiring smartphones with internet, consequently having information available and accessible at their fingertips. The internet as a healthcare tool allows for individuals to interact with each other, discuss, acquire information, and generate data that allows researchers and healthcare workers to develop more effective care.

References:

• Ferguson, T., & Frydman, G. (2004, May 15). The first generation of e-patients. Retrieved June 19, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC411079/
• Garvin, E. (2014, July 09). In-Depth: Rise of the ePatient Movement. Retrieved June 19, 2020, from https://hitconsultant.net/2014/06/25/rise-of-the-epatient-movement
• Hegdekar, Meghana Nithin (2014, May). The emergence of e-patients: Role of internet and social media in Participatory Medicine. Retrieved June 19, 2020, from https://medlink- uk.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/HegdekarM.pdf

4) WHAT IS CROWDSOURCING?

         Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines crowdsourcing as “the practice of obtaining needed services, ideas, or content by soliciting contributions from a large group of people and especially from the online community rather than from traditional employees or suppliers”. Crowdsourcing is the practice of utilizing the wisdom or thoughts of a “crowd” or a group of people to reach a common goal. It is best employed when trying to solve problems or simplify complex processes in a manner that is innovative and efficient. Crowdsourcing often is driven by new technologies, social media, and the web and used for businesses. Every industry has somehow depended on crowd intelligence at some point. Moreover, it involves the process of tapping in to individuals or groups of people to come up with powerful results through their collected opinions, actions, or activities. With the advent of the information age, tapping into potential sources has become less complicated. Through data collection, this method provides organizations or groups with a “gateway” to advanced solutions and fresh ideas, a more wholesome consumer engagement, room for co-creation, efficiency of tasks, and cost reduction. For example, when a company wants to enhance their current product offering, they would utilize “crowdsourcing” by asking people of their preferences and thoughts through questions like “What do they want to improve in their product?” or “What product features do you want to add in the product?”. In this way, they can modify their product based on the data and information collected from the groups of people they approached.

         In healthcare, crowdsourcing is as important as it is utilized and applied in marketing, advertising, industrial design, etc. It has become a key in better analytics, more efficient practices, and overall better patient care. However, more studies and researches are to be done for it to be worked out. For example, a lot of journals were already produced about big data saving healthcare but not much for how patient information will be gathered. Crowdsourching healthcare became a big hit when Eliot Van Buskirk profiled Harvard's diabetes crowdsourcing project. The university’s Clinical and Translational Science established the InnoCentive program to launch crowdsourcing projects wherein people ask questions about diabetes and experts answer them. Afterwards, the best questions and answers are awarded with monetary prizes. Furthermore, the most popular example of crowdsourcing in healthcare is "PatientsLikeMe". The data-driven social network has done the largest amount of crowdsourced health studies thus far, and outcomes reveal they will have already around a million users with rare diseases by the month of December. The said company has crowdsourced a several studies, including the role of lithium in the treatment of Lou Gehrig’s disease.

         Overall, the medical community has greatly benefited from crowdsourced data, like how it impacted the business industry. As health professionals say, "Crowdsourcing is both a byproduct of the emergence of healthcare technology and represents a new paradigm of medical research and investigation". In simpler terms, such methods and strategies can not only help patients but also physicians, researchers and even pharmaceutical companies.

References:

• Crowdsourcing. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crowdsourcing
• What is Crowdsourcing? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://crowdsourcingweek.com/what-is-crowdsourcing/

5) CHARACTERISTICS OF ONLINE HEALTHCARE CONSUMERS OR DESCRIPTION OF THE CONSUMERS.

​According to Market Business News (n.d), consumers are defined as people or organizations that purchase products or services. Usually, they are humans or other economic entities that use a good or service. To put it in the context of healthcare, they are the people who avail healthcare services. Online healthcare consumers are patients that seek or receive medical help through the use of online platforms or applications, not needing their physical presence in a clinic or hospital. 

​In any kind of business, there are distinct characteristics of their consumers. The type of consumers that avail certain services somehow describe the business or vice versa. As for online healthcare consumers, they are usually the following:

1. Those who have difficulty accessing healthcare services due to factors such as location, disability, age, and etc.

2. Those who are literate enough to browse the web to search for available medical help such as specialist consultations, as well as crucial information about their condition through reliable sources.

3. Those who prefer convenience by getting medical help at the comfort of their homes to avoid waiting at the hospital/clinic.

4. Those who have access to their Electronic Health Record (EHR) and consider it as their own possession that can be shared to any physicians they trust.

5. Those who want to manage their health independently with the use of digital tools, usually because of the fact that they want to reduce their expenses in health care services (using preventive measures).

With these aforementioned characteristics, it only shows that patients (consumers) nowadays are also stepping up in the development ladder. With the advancement of technology, they also seek the evolution of the health care system, especially to avoid the burdens they have in going to hospitals/clinics. Health care consumers now are more aware with the help of online resources, but still vulnerable to false information. Moreover, they are less likely to depend everything to providers because they can already make informed decisions with the aid of their electronic health record (EHR) ,which they have access to 24/7. Consequently, up-to-date patients are more likely to work hand in hand with their physicians and/or look after their own health with the use of preventive measures provided by digital tools. This can aid them to reduce costs in health care services and enhance efficiency and effectiveness of health care delivery.

6) ROLE OF CLINICIANS AND INFORMATICS IN E-PATIENT CARE.

         Nowadays, clinicians are innovating technology into their traditional approaches to improve doctor-patient communication. Seeing the situation of the world today has opened the possibility of using the resources from technology and the internet to be innovated into patient care. This innovation is emerging new information made accessible with the use of the internet.

Health informatics is the practice of acquiring, studying, and managing health data and applying medical concepts in conjunction with health information technology to aid clinicians in providing better healthcare to their patients (Rouse, 2018). Today, medical knowledge is now utilized in informing the public through searching the internet to gain broader knowledge and seek medical advice about one’s or a family member’s condition.

Roles of clinicians and informatics in e-patient care:

1. 1) Clinicians should use their accustomed knowledge in the field of medicine to
   verify and update any misleading or incorrect information available on the internet.
   
   
2. 2) Clinicians should include the engagement of patient/s and their family members with informatics in e-patient care to better understand and gain knowledge of the process.
   
   
3. 3) Health informatics tools such as discussion boards, blogs, and online support groups can be utilized by patients and clinicians to share their experiences and knowledge to promote better interaction between doctor-patient communication.
   
   
4. 4) Clinicians should direct their patients to informatics of health information, journals & articles, and healthcare databases of high-quality to promote e- patient care.
5. 5) Expertise of the clinicians should be utilized with health informatics for better access of health information and healthcare services, improve patient care, and empower patients to promote e-patient care.

         Even as a student, technology and the internet greatly impacts our lives because of the endless possibilities and uses it provides. In our course, taking advantage of high- quality informatics on the internet gives us students’ the capacity to search other accessible references from journals, articles, and websites if we want to better understand a specific topic or concept. I have found that making use of high-quality informatics is also a critical factor in e-patient care. In my understanding, it is important that informatics should not be a barrier between the patient/s and their clinicians, rather it should be seen as an opportunity to promote e-patient care. The vast amount of information available on the internet must be utilized properly between patients and their clinicians for better communication. The accessible health informatics that still continues to grow with the advancement of technology, will always have the capability to be acquired, stored, and utilized by both patients and clinicians in healthcare settings to promote and improve e-patient care.