The International Classification of Disorders (ICD) is traditionally viewed as the foundation for determining the problem that a patient might be having, diagnosing a specific disease and, therefore, designing the treatment strategy that will eventually lead to a fast recovery. However, in a range of instances, specialized classification terminologies (SCT) are preferred to ICD despite its comprehensiveness (Cardillo 6), which begs the question whether the use of the technologies above is justified. Although ICD permits a quick location of a problem and its further identification, it typically relies on the standard interpretation of symptoms, thus, dismissing the probability of the patient displaying unique ones; thus, the introduction of the SCT in the process of diagnosing is justified.
The limitations of the current ICD are linked directly to its key properties, i.e., its comprehensiveness. For instance, the lack of the theoretical understanding of a certain problem and the tendency to base the analysis thereof on a specific practical experience, which is typically characteristic of ICD, inhibits the identification of the specific characteristics of a certain case and sends a false message to the therapist (“Chapter 3. Specialized Terminologies” 2).
For instance, the use of SCT in the healthcare setting should be considered as a necessity in the setting that involves data coordination between EHRs (electronic health records) and PHRs (personal health records) (“Healthcare Terminologies and Classifications: Essential Keys to Interoperability” 1). To be more exact, the adoption of the SCT tools allows for transferring the information retrieved with the help of tests from one format to another. Despite the fact that issues have been raised concerning the need to keep the patient informed on the updates of or changes to their healthcare records, to date, the SCT tools are viewed as the most efficient way of getting essential details across from one healthcare service member to another so that the information could be encrypted in the e-format (Hovenga 106). Seeing that the SCT tools provide ample opportunities for saving time with precise terminology and a sparing use of words, it is by far the most adequate tool for managing the patients’ records and updating the latter on a regular basis.
Moreover, the introduction of the SCT tools into the framework of the therapists’ operations can be viewed as positive when considering the case of an injury that was caused by an undetermined object and the effects of which cannot be determined to a full extent (Maffulli et al. 242). In the given scenario, the necessity to apply the principles of SCT is obvious as the patient’s life hinges on the accuracy of the diagnosis and the appropriateness of the treatment suggested (Komenda et al. 76). Therefore, the need to work with the health issue the causes of which have not been fully identified can be viewed as another example of an active use of the SCT tools.
With all respect to the all-embracive properties of the ICD, it is still very broad and, thus, can offer only generalized descriptions of the existing disorders; consequently, to make sure that a patient-centered therapy could be provided, one must consider SCT. Seeing that the latter set the stage for a detailed and in-depth analysis of a specific case, they must be viewed as an integral part of high-quality healthcare services. As the cases provided above show, the use of the approach under analysis can be applied to both efficient information management and the services quality improvement areas of healthcare. Thus, the premises for patient-centered care can be created.
Works Cited
Cardillo, Elena 2015, Medical Terminologies for Patients. Web.
Chapter 3. Specialized Terminologies. 2011. Web.
Healthcare Terminologies and Classifications: Essential Keys to Interoperability. 2013. Web.
Hovenga, Evelyn J. S. Health Informatics: An Overview. Washington, DC: IOS Press, 2010. Print.
Komenda, Martin , Daniel Schwarz, Jan Švancara, Christos Vaitsis, and Nabil Zary. “Practical Use of Medical Terminology in Curriculum Mapping.” Computers in Biology and Medicine 63.1 (2013): 74-82. Print.
Maffulli,Nicola, Francesco Oliva, Antonio Frizziero, Gianni Nanni, Michele Barazzuol, Alessio Giai Via, Carlo Ramponi, Paola Brancaccio, Gianfranco Lisitano, Diego Rizzo, Marco Freschi, Stefano Galletti, Gianluca Melegati, Giulio Pasta, Vittorino Testa, Alessandro Valent, and Angelo Del Buono. “ISMuLT Guidelines for Muscle Injuries.” Muscles, Ligaments and Tendons Journal 3.4 (2013): 241-249. Print.