Thanks to the effective implementation of modern information technology in the medical field, doctors and nurses are no longer “consuming” significant amounts of paper to maintain patient records, generate reports, and so on. The management of medical institutions is able to optimize the allocation of all kinds of resources at their disposal. By organizing patients’ medical records in the form of confidential medical records, physicians have the ability to quickly obtain the necessary data, knowledge of which will allow them to quickly make decisions regarding further treatment, options for care, effective prevention, etc.
Comparing the costs of transferring paper medical information to electronic format, the costs of developing and operating special software for efficient work of medical professionals with data in digital format are significantly lower than those of similar activities with paper documentation. In addition, the efficiency of medical staff, when all the information of interest can be accessed in a matter of minutes, is very significant.
Modern level of development of special software for medical workers corresponds to the highest standards of safety of data placed in the World Wide Web, allowing on-line access to databases, containing confidential data about patients.
Another significant advantage of the introduction of modern information technologies in medical institutions, especially small (regional, rural, etc.) is the reduction of expenses on staff, whose functional duties include working with paper documents.
An equally important positive consequence of the introduction of IT in medicine is the ability to interact with other external sources of information through online conferences, symposia, etc., which allows, without leaving the patient, to solve complex issues with the help of more experienced colleagues, to hear the opinions of other professionals on a complex problem. This is a significant help for small hospitals located in areas far from the center of the country.
However, the development and implementation of modern IT is not only about facilitating and improving the work of medical personnel and the medical institution as a whole. Developments for patients are no less significant. For example, today subscribers of special medical systems have the opportunity to receive help from a qualified medical professional on health issues practically 24 hours a day, without leaving home. Working in cooperation with insurance organizations, patients can order an insurance policy through resources connected to the Internet, get an explanation of insurance programs from specialists, also without leaving home, call for a doctor, etc.
An interesting direction in the development of special software for medics is the implementation of close interaction with pharmacy networks, which will allow not to write a paper prescription, but to send it directly to a particular pharmacy, where the patient will come and just buy the necessary medicine. This approach not only reduces the cost of medical facilities, but also reduces the likelihood of buying the wrong drug due to illegible handwriting on prescriptions, creating conditions for checking drug interactions and allergies. In addition, patients’ waiting time in pharmacies is significantly reduced, as employees can take care of the availability of the necessary drugs in advance.
The availability of a unified database for medics when assisting patients in coping with the consequences of natural disasters, emergencies, etc., is of significant help, as medical workers have the opportunity to work with objective medical information about each victim. Wireless Internet, microcomputers help to get timely and prompt information about everyone who needs help, keep an up-to-date list of victims, etc.
Disadvantages of involving modern IT in medicine
First and foremost, of course, is the same security that can be hacked by hackers. There is constant serious work in this direction, but hackers do not sleep a wink either.
The lack of a well-thought-out and effective legislative framework related to the introduction of information technology in medicine. All existing documents are in constant reorganization and improvement.
Another significant disadvantage of the introduction of information technology in the medical field is the human factor, which manifests itself in errors associated with data entry.
One of the disadvantages is the need for people with special skills to maintain the operability and efficiency of IT in medicine, which requires some financial expenditures.