Patient portals and other Internet-based applications are often used in health care in the United States. These systems rely upon the commercial use of an Internet connection. Some areas cannot afford Internet or may have a cultural or religious objection to significant use of Internet applications as resources for the population being served. Discuss how this may affect the health care organization that is required to update processes in order to meet regulatory requirements. Provide supporting references for your response. PLEASE INCLUDE REFERENCE AND IN-TEXT CITATION
Introduction
Healthcare organizations in the United States increasingly rely on patient portals and internet-based applications to improve patient engagement, enhance communication, and provide convenient access to clinical information. However, the adoption of these technologies can be hindered in certain areas due to factors such as affordability and cultural or religious objections to internet usage. In this paper, we will explore the potential impact of these limitations on healthcare organizations that are required to update their processes to meet regulatory requirements.
Affordability and access challenges
Some areas in the United States, particularly low-income communities or rural regions, may face challenges in accessing affordable and reliable internet connections. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), approximately 14.5 million Americans lack access to broadband internet, with a significant portion residing in rural or remote areas (2019). These underserved areas may lack the necessary infrastructure to support widespread internet connectivity, making it difficult for healthcare organizations to implement internet-based applications uniformly.
The absence of affordable internet access can impede patient portal adoption, as patients may not have the means to connect and utilize these online platforms. This limitation can affect healthcare organizations in multiple ways. First, it hampers the organization’s ability to effectively communicate with patients and deliver important health-related information. Patients may miss out on receiving timely updates, test results, or appointment reminders, leading to potential disruptions in their care. Moreover, the lack of internet access may disproportionately affect certain demographic groups, exacerbating health disparities and hindering efforts to improve population health outcomes.
Cultural and religious objections
In addition to affordability challenges, certain populations may hold cultural or religious objections to the use of internet applications for healthcare purposes. Some conservative religious groups, for example, may have reservations about the use of electronic technologies in general, or may consider sharing personal health information online as a violation of privacy. In these cases, healthcare organizations need to be cognizant of the ethical, cultural, and religious norms of the communities they serve when implementing internet-based applications.
Failure to address these cultural and religious objections can result in decreased patient acceptance and adoption of internet-based healthcare technologies. Patient engagement may suffer, as individuals may be hesitant or unwilling to engage with these platforms due to concerns over privacy or religious beliefs. This can limit healthcare providers’ ability to collect and analyze patient-generated data, as well as hinder the sharing of vital information between patients and healthcare professionals.
Impact on healthcare organizations
The limitations associated with affordability and cultural/religious objections to internet-based applications impose several challenges on healthcare organizations striving to meet regulatory requirements. For instance, in 2011, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act introduced financial incentives for healthcare providers to adopt and meaningfully use electronic health records (EHRs). This legislation aimed to improve care coordination, enhance patient safety, and promote data exchange and interoperability. However, the widespread adoption of EHRs and related patient portals heavily relies on patients’ ability and willingness to interact with these online platforms.
When faced with limitations such as affordability or cultural/religious objections, healthcare organizations must develop alternative strategies to comply with the regulatory requirements related to patient engagement and information exchange. This may involve implementing non-internet-based solutions, such as phone or mail-based communication, to maintain connectivity with patients who cannot access or refuse to utilize internet-based technologies. Additionally, organizations should place an emphasis on building trust and rapport with patients through culturally sensitive approaches, acknowledging their concerns and working collaboratively to address them.
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References:
Federal Communications Commission. (2019). 2019 broadband deployment report. Retrieved from https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-19-44A1.pdf
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2012). Health information technology for economic and clinical health (HITECH) act. Retrieved from https://www.healthit.gov/sites/default/files/hitech_act_excerpt_from_arra_with_index.pdf