Health Care Technology and Health Care Trends

Assignment 2: Health Care Technology and Health Care Trends

Part I. Develop a graphical taxonomy of the different health care technologies using Microsoft Excel. The taxonomy should include information on the following:

1. Type of health care technology.

2. Brief discussion regarding how each technology contributes to the health care system in the US when applicable.

3. Assess how each medical technology type affects or affected clinicians and organizations.

Part II. Provide a 75-100 word response to the following questions:

4. Discuss trend(s) that have directly impacted the U.S. population and health care over the last 50 years. Provide specific details.

5. Determine one (1) important factor that has had the greatest impact on the health care utilization pattern(s).

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

– Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additionalinstructions.

– Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

– Analyze the impact of technology on health care services, health care outcomes, and cost.

– Explain how changes in population, disease patterns and trends affect the health care system.

– Use technology and information resources to research issues in health services organization.

– Write clearly and concisely about health services organization using proper writing mechanics

Health Care Technology and Health Care Trends

Health Care Technology and Health Care Trends: Part 2

No. 4

            With the aging of the US population, chronic diseases’ prevalence is on the increase. On the same note, an increasing rate of mortality and morbidity is linked to particular unhealthy personal behaviors. The present health care infrastructure is effective with acute diseases and, therefore, a more comprehensive one is essential for treating chronic diseases and addressing personal behaviors. In 2010, the total population increased to 309 million and will reach 439 million by 2050 (Wu et al., 2012). Crucial changes related to ethnicity, race, and age are expected with the rising population.

            Education, employment, income, and health literacy are some social determinants that have contributed to health patterns. In 2009, the major causes for death in people aged more than 65 years were accidents, stroke, cancer, chronic lower respiratory conditions, and cardiovascular diseases. With aging, chronic diseases are on the increase and 7 people out of 10 die from them. 75% of health expenditures in America are used for chronic diseases (McGlynn et al., 2003). For example, many children are either overweight or obese. Personal lifestyle and behaviors have deteriorated including dietary habits, sleep deprivation, smoking, and alcohol consumption and these have led to diseases such as stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

No. 5

The population’s aging in US is a key factor that has contributed greatly to the evident healthcare utilization patterns. Between 1990- 2000, people who are aged 65 years and more increased to 34 from 31 million (Ammenwerth & de Keizer, 2009).  People aged 85 years and more increased to 4 from 3 million in 2000. As the Baby Boomer generation continues aging, the number of the elderly is anticipated to increase rapidly. Presently, they are in their fifties and forties and are beginning to experience diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Gradually, aging has been linked to chronic conditions’ prevalence and functional limitation (Berk & Monheit, 2011). With age, people use prescription medicines and hospital services more. The elderly require more specialized care and this means use of complex equipment and more qualified staff.

References

Ammenwerth, E., & de Keizer, N. F. (2009). An inventory of evaluation studies of information technology in health care trends in evaluation research 1982-2002. Method Inform Med, 44(1), 44-56.

Berk, M. L., & Monheit, A. C. (2011). The concentration of health care expenditures, revisited. Health Affairs, 20(2), 9-18.

McGlynn, E. A., Asch, S. M., Adams, J., Keesey, J., Hicks, J., DeCristofaro, A., & Kerr, E. A. (2003). The quality of health care delivered to adults in the United States. New England journal of medicine, 348(26), 2635-2645.

Wu, S., Chaudhry, B., Wang, J., Maglione, M., Mojica, W., Roth, E., & Shekelle, P. G. (2012). Systematic review: impact of health information technology on quality, efficiency, and costs of medical care. Annals of internal medicine, 144(10), 742-752.