Communication & Information Technology in Health Care

The healthcare industry shows a strong interest in communication and information technology, according to the Open Clinical website. Such technological enhancements streamline communication and administrative processes and improve the quality of care that is provided to patients.

Electronic Medical Records

• Thanks to information technology, electronic medical records were born. EMR systems let doctors maintain electronic patient files, which makes medical documentation easier, keeps information more organized and reduces medical errors that are often caused by poor penmanship.

E-Prescriptions

• Information technology makes it possible for doctor's offices to communicate electronically with pharmacies. E-prescription systems let medical staff enter a patient's prescription into a database and virtually transmit the prescription to the receiving pharmacy. These systems provide top-notch services to patients, and patients no longer have to bring prescriptions to the pharmacy themselves.

Telemedicine

• Communication technology expands the provision of healthcare services by introducing telemedicine. Telemedicine lets doctors meet with patients through video or web-conferencing technology, while they are physically in different parts of the world. Telemedicine is catching on so quickly that according to CMIO magazine, the Obama administration is investing in new projects, worth $795 million, to develop telemedicine broadband connections for rural and underserved areas.