CHN 1 8
CHN 1 8
CHN 1 8
• What is ICT?
INFORMATION & COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
– A diverse set of technological tools and resources used to communicate, create, disseminate,
store, and manage information (Blurton, 2002)
– Example technologies
• Computers
• The Internet
• Television
• Mobile phones
• Differentiating Data and Information
• Data – unanalyzed raw facts that do not imply meaning (Gudea, 2005)
Ex: The number ’39’
• Information – data with meaning
Ex: The number ‘39’ as the patient’s respiratory rate
Is different from
– The number ‘39’ as the patient’s age
• The health care system heavily relies on accurate recording of data and information
What is eHealth?
• eHealth is the use of ICT for health (World Health Organization, 2012).
• May 25, 2005
– 58th World Health Assembly (WHA)
– Resolution: adopted by the WHO member states
• Recognizing eHealth as the cost effective way of using ICT in health care services,
health surveillance, health literature, health education, & research (WHA, 2005)
• Examples of eHealth:
– Communicating with patients through a teleconference, e-mail, SMS
– Recording, retrieving and mining data in an electronic medical record
– Providing patient teachings with the aid of electronic tools (computers, television, tablets)
TELEMEDICINE
• delivery of health care services by all health care professionals using ICT for:
(without an in-person office visit; done primarily online with internet access on computer, tablet, or
smartphone)
– exchange of valid information for diagnosis
– treatment & prevention of disease & injuries
– research & evaluation
– for the continuing education of health care providers
• Four elements specific to Telemedicine - WHO
1. Its purpose is to provide clinical support.
2. It is intended to overcome geographical barriers, connecting users who are not in the same
physical location.
3. It involves the use of various types of ICT.
4. Its goal is to improve health outcomes
Example: National Telehealth Service Program (NTSP).
eLearning
– use of electronic tools to aid in teaching
– Instructional videos, informational text blasts, interactive simulations
– Educate fellow health professionals
• Continuing education sessions / continuing professional education
– Online & virtual seminar through teleconferences & multiuser virtual
environments
BuddyWorks – allowed RHU physicians to send telereferrals to clinical specialists in PGH via
SMS and eMail