Online resources that save time and provide education for patients?

Link: Info Surge

I have written about the benefits for a Physician's practice moving from paper to electronic records, but what about the needs of Patients? How can physicians provide the right amount of information to their patients about procedures, diagnostics, or other tests that also educates on the risks and benefits? Seems there may be opportunities, but only in short conversations between patient and provider.

According to recent reports, the general population is seeking education about their health conditions online. Unfortunately for many, the information they receive may be inaccurate, since there are few reliable Internet sources (e.g. Mayo Clinic, WebMD, etc.). So, information received via online search may not be complete, or reliable.

I recently met a colleague via Linked In - the social networking platform - who told me about the opportunities for physicians to provide online health education for patients with their system. She provided me with access to a demo video. As I watched the video, I thought about a patient's need to understand implications for procedures, and a provider's need to help their patients understand risks and benefits in order to get the needed "informed" consent. Too often, there is little time to provide the right amount of information.

I expect that with renewed interest in enabling technologies on "the cloud" (e.g. Internet), there will be future educational opportunities for patients as well as their providers (maybe online CEs?). Also consider this ... what if a Provider had a website with a patient portal that contained not only their health records, appointment scheduling, refill requests, etc. but also a "library" of educational videos on topics and health conditions for their patients? I think it is an interesting idea.

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Comments

[Deborah Leyva]

Thank you Margaret. If you have any particular topics you would like to see, let me know. I'm working on a series of posts on use of electronic health records. The next one, coming soon, is entitled Part 4: The "e-bilities" for electronic health records - Usability, Readability, Accessibility.

[Margaret]

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Margaret

http://grantsforeducation.info

[Deborah Leyva]

Thank you for your comments.

I agree that discussion between Physicians and Patients should be made in a non-medical terminology manner so that it is understandable by the Patient and their family. Patients have the right to understand not only their illness and condition, but also the recommended treatment options and alternatives. That said, they also have the right to refuse.

It is the ability to openly discuss treatments and alternatives between a patient and their provider that can establish meaningful trust.

The knowledge gained by this relationship and exchange of information helps to create the unique plan of care, which can lead to improved health and wellness.