Medical technology
I fully agree with the above statement because medical technology has enhanced the overall efficiency of healthcare delivery. As it stands now, greater quality and safety have been attained through medical technology. For example, there are myriads of health complications that used to be untreatable in the past but can now be handled with great ease due to the modern medical technology platform (Murphy, 2010). A crucial case in point is the management of cancer and other terminal illnesses. Early detection of dangerous infections can now be easily facilitated through contemporary technological platforms. Patients can now be screened more precisely than it used to be some decades ago.
Caring in practice used to be quite inefficient because due to less effective medical instruments. Even the medical practitioners are finding it quite easy to execute their services owing to the assistance of the latest technologies. We can concur that safety for both patients and nurses has been enhanced through modern medical technology (Murphy, 2011).
The impact of the internet
The internet has enhanced the flow of communication over the past few decades. People can share communication and knowledge rapidly. As a result of this expedited flow in communication, society is becoming more informed and knowledgeable (Keeling, Khan & Newholm, 2013). The internet has changed our lifestyles because we no longer need to meet physically to do business. Through the World Wide Web, individuals can make transactions.
Consequently, people are losing their physical experience because they are largely operating in a virtual world. As much as this may accelerate the pace of globalization, it has negatively affected society since the vibrant social life is no longer a place. In regards to healthcare delivery, the impact of the internet is still not vivid. However, the sharing of healthcare knowledge has increased (Nickitas & Kerfoot, 2010).
Also, it has reduced workload for practitioners who may require certain information. The internet has become an important reference point for both laymen and professional physicians. It is interesting to note that the physician-patient relationship has been improved because information can be shared quite easily.
Nursing informatics
Nursing informatics refers to the art and science of managing all facets of information and communication technology so that the delivery of healthcare services to the population can be enhanced. As such, nursing knowledge and information are integrated so that healthcare practitioners can be empowered while patients are given the best care services. In other words, nursing informatics employs the latest and most updated technological platforms to boost the working conditions of healthcare practitioners and also improve the standards of healthcare delivery to patients (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2009).
After reading the required chapters, my definition has indeed been modified. Initially, I thought that nursing informatics was merely the electronic storage of healthcare records. However, my definition has been broadened after reading the assigned chapters because I have understood that this is a wide area of practice that goes beyond the maintenance of electronic health records.
Nurse informaticians have several roles that are centered on the well being of both patients and healthcare practitioners. For instance, communication and information technologies are developed by the personnel drawn from nursing informatics. They also work as policy developers, implementation consultants, and software engineers in the healthcare sector. Some of the key areas of operations include information presentation, development of research methodologies in healthcare delivery, and concept representation.
References
Keeling, D., Khan, A., & Newholm, T. (2013). Internet forums and negotiation of healthcare knowledge cultures. The Journal of Services Marketing, 27(1), 59-75.
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. (2009). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
Murphy, J. (2010). The journey to meaningful use of electronic health records. Nursing Economics, 28(4), 283-286.
Murphy, J. (2011). The nursing informatics workforce: Who are they and what do they do? Nursing Economics, 29(3), 150-3.
Nickitas, D.M. & Kerfoot, K. (2010). Nursing informatics: Why nurse leaders need to stay informed. Nursing Economics, 28(3), 141-158.
Response for Student # 1-Sarah A
In the above post, the student seems to be bothered by the issue of care about the application of medical technology. It is imperative to mention that for patients who are satisfied, the level of care must be beyond their expectations. It does not mean that nursing care has now evolved into the full application of medical technology without considering the need for patients (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2009). Therefore, I do not agree with the argument posted in question one. Even in cases whereby nurses are supposed to answer questions from patients, medical technology still comes in handy in the delivery of the most accurate results that are also self-explanatory.
I agree with the post in the second question because the internet has impacted the healthcare sector and society both positively and negatively. It is still possible to visualize the benefits of sharing information through the internet and also assess the setbacks associated with this mode of information sharing. Some information available on the internet may not be correct (Keeling, Khan & Newholm, 2013).
In the last post, I agree with the definition of nursing informatics because it encompasses all the practices and competencies in the use of medical technology.
References
Keeling, D., Khan, A., & Newholm, T. (2013). Internet forums and negotiation of healthcare knowledge cultures. The Journal of Services Marketing, 27(1), 59-75.
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. (2009). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
Response for Student # 2-Maryann B
I do not agree with the post in the first question. As already discussed in the previous sections, it is not mandatory to include the word “care” when exploring the role of medical technology in the delivery of healthcare services. Needless to say, there is greater efficiency when medical technology is employed in offering healthcare services. When safety is given priority, it is tantamount to offering high-quality care to patients.
I do not fully agree with the second post since the availability of information through the internet has both negative and positive impacts. Although the internet platform has expedited the pace we receive and share vital data, lack of credibility in the information found on the internet is still a major concern (Keeling, Khan & Newholm, 2013).
In the last post, the full definition of nursing informatics is missing. However, there is a clear discussion about the concept although it is still a new terminology in some parts of the globe such as third world countries (Murphy, 2010).
References
Keeling, D., Khan, A., & Newholm, T. (2013). Internet forums and negotiation of healthcare knowledge cultures. The Journal of Services Marketing, 27(1), 59-75.
Murphy, J. (2010). The journey to meaningful use of electronic health records. Nursing Economics, 28(4), 283-286.