Consumer Informatics Overview

Consumer Informatics

The application of information and communication technologies to enable individuals to manage their health

Patient Portal

Information system for patients to access health information, schedule appointments, and communicate with healthcare providers

Personal Health Record

Individual-maintained health record for collecting, tracking, and sharing health information

Health Literacy

Capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information for making informed decisions

Health Literacy National Action Plan

Initiative to improve health information access, incorporate it in education, and support research

Consumer Health Applications

Healthcare technology for accessing information, promoting healthy lifestyles, and managing conditions

Telehealth

Technology for remote patient care using video conferencing, internet, and other communication tools

Telemedicine

Subset of telehealth focusing on direct patient care

Consumer Engagement

Interacting with healthcare providers, seeking health information, and actively participating in healthcare decisions

Blue Button Campaign

Initiative to empower patients by providing easy access to their health information

Social Media

Online tools used by healthcare for advertising, wellness promotion, health education, and patient communication

Health Literacy Resources

Sources like magazines, websites, and family/friends providing health information with varying quality

Health Literacy Issues

Challenges like jargon and ensuring patient understanding in health communication

Health Literacy Tools

Methods like using pictures, Teach Back communication, and Ask Me 3 initiative to enhance patient understanding

Health Literacy Contributing Factors

Factors affecting health literacy include communication skills, knowledge of healthcare, culture, and age

Health Literacy Goals

Goals include improving understanding of prescriptions, discharge instructions, consent forms, and navigating healthcare

Health Literacy Includes

Involves understanding requests for information, navigating healthcare, and the ability to comprehend health information

Health Literacy Resources (V)

Various sources like magazines, websites, and family/friends providing health information with differing quality levels

Telehealth Benefits

Advantages include improved access to care, flexibility, quality, efficiency, cost reduction, and decreased travel

Telehealth Disadvantages

Challenges include lack of provider funds, no face-to-face interaction, patient technology issues, and reimbursement problems

Patient Portals Benefits

Benefits include improved communication, access to health information, resources, patient engagement, and healthcare staff efficiency

Patient Portals Types

Classified as standalone or system integrated based on their structure and integration with healthcare systems

Personal Health Record Formats

PHRs can be in paper, personal computer, internet, or portable device formats for health information management