On the Lookout for Website Reliability Chapter Seventeen’s topic on the consumer’s quest for health information via the Internet, posed a “challenge for consumers and healthcare professionals alike” (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2015, p. 288) to ensure that the sites offer “reliable and credible sources of information” (Hall, 2009, p. 607). Nurses’ access to reliable and valid information is a must not only as clinicians but also as patient educators (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2015). Thus, “nurses are challenged to find and use reliable, credible information to support clinical decision-making and to meet expectations for evidence-based nursing practice” (Miller, Jones, Graves, & Sievert, (2010, Abstract, para. 1) both for themselves and for their patients. When confronted with the need for information, nurses, like everyone, resort to Google, one of the most used search engine, and as cited by Miller et al. (2010) The Internet and sophisticated search engines and databases have significantly changed how nurses find this clinical information. Although Internet users have a breadth of information resources readily available, the quality of these resources is unmonitored. As a result, there is often a disconnect between the convenience of Google searching for any information and purposeful searching of more complex databases for reliable, credible information (p.1). I find myself like many Internet users, who because of lack of time and lack of “information literacy skills… do
Education of patients and families regarding the reliability of internet information is prudent. Given the enormous amount of information available via the World Wide Web, not all of which, as you illustrate, is reliable, it is of great importance that patients and families comprehend the unreliability of some of the information they may acquire. Patients who are unable to gain access to health care secondary to a lack of funds, insurance, or availability of their provider, may be inclined to review their symptoms utilizing a search engine. Moreover, patients who were incapable of accessing healthcare due to reasons other than a lack of insurance are more likely to utilize the internet to obtain health related
The validity of the information on a website is indicated by the reliability of the information sources and developers, as well as the reliability and expertise of the information reviewers ("Evaluating internet health,”). Claims made by the information should be unbiased and based on fact, not opinion.
The growth of health care activities since then has truly encouraged patients to reach for information outside the confines of patient and physician interaction. Revolutionary new technology such as cell phones and computers, as well as the development of the Internet and social media sites, has served as where a vast majority of the public finds current knowledge for their problems.
Caveat lector is a Latin phrase meaning, “let the reader beware.” Health information on the internet is growing at an alarming rate. However, some information on the internet is not accurate or current, and unfortunately, many web sites regarding healthcare offer misleading, incomplete, and incorrect information. Many consumers do not have the knowledge to judge and evaluate the quality of online information. This paper aims to discuss how the website WebMD presents information to readers. It will evaluate WebMD according to its source, where was the source obtained; type of funding, is it commercially funded or private; the validity and quality, how valid is the information and can it be verified; and privacy, is your personal information
Since consumers are becoming more involved with their healthcare decisions, organizations and providers must adapt to consumer requisites and utilize independent resources to ensure the viability of their businesses. In 2008, a study reported that 81% of internet users and 66% of adults utilized online health information as a source for health related issues (Ha & Yun, 2011). Some examples of online health information resources comprised of search engines, organizational websites, and governmental agencies that participate in health related issues (Ha & Yun, 2011). By accessing health related information, consumers empower themselves with knowledge to assist in healthcare decisions and wellness management (Ha & Yun, 2011). As a result of consumers becoming better educated about healthcare, administrators must explore internet resources in order to maintain quality and services that is expected by consumers, and maintain the reputation of the organization.
A survey was performed to identify nurses’ competence with computer databases. Many of the practicing nurses studied claimed they did not feel comfortable navigating a database to locate research information. Many were either not aware of helpful tools such as CIANHL and PubMed or did not utilize these tools due to their inability to access or navigate them. Patient charting and detailed drug information is all computerized, therefore, universities need to place emphasis on computer literacy and familiarize nursing students with computer databases if they are to be
Nursing informatics really gained momentum in the 1980’s. The first national conference on computer technology and nursing was held (Ozbolt, J.G., Saba, V.K. 2008). Scholarships and the first educational courses on Nursing Informatics were introduced into the nursing programs at Boston College, University of New York and University of Utah (Ozbolt, J.G., Saba, V.K. 2008). The growing record of accomplishment allowed nurses to move into managerial roles (Edwards, H. 2011). By the mid ‘80’s, nearly three decades after Nurse Werley pushed for minimum data sets, was the idea finally embraced by nurse professionals (Ozbolt, J.G., Saba, V.K. 2008). Four specific elements of the minimum data set became a standard for nursing care: nursing diagnosis, nursing intervention, nursing outcome and the
The authors conclude that in order to collect data for meaningful use, one must get back to nursing basics to satisfy regulatory requirements. Under direction of a nurse informaticist, utilizing electronic health records helps facilitate this.
Upgrading our documentation to information and informatics comes with many advantages for the health care team to improve quality and safe ty improvement. Also, the use of technology such as telehealth, telenursing and videoconferencing are on the rise, and will be embedded into our communities and nursing organizations so that we can reach people around the country who do not have accessibility quality health care. Using technology to educate patients and families about credible websites, and how to search for pertinent information that is relevant to his or her health is a priority. The goal is to eliminate unnecessary emergency rooms visits. These actions foster communication and minimize anxiety
Many studies show that about 50 billion dollars’ worth of alcohol crashes occur a year (“Drunk Driving”). Alcohol messes up communication pathways that affect coordination and response time to the body.
To further evaluate the usefulness of the 5 remaining articles, their abstracts were read to identify any relevant information. Information is data that has some meaning to it. Davenport and Prusak (1989) describes information as data that makes a difference to the receiver of the data. The data which is now aggregated into informational sentences and paragraphs (complete thoughts) reveal that the NANDA Nursing Diagnoses, the Iowa Nursing Interventions, and Iowa Nursing Outcomes Classification SNLs have been explored for use in Nurse Practitioner practice. This is information as it has context to the reason the literature search is being performed.
You guys are all right, The first time I start using this resource it was painful to me since I was not used to it. But, finding it necessary for my search, I did convince myself of its importance in my nursing career. I truly believe that the more you use it, the more it becomes easy and interesting to
Dr. Patricia Benner is responsible for the idea that a nurse begins her career as a novice, having a sound educational base, and eventually develops into an expert nurse after a multitude of experiences in the field (“From Novice to Expert”, 2013). This paper will explore Benner’s five stages to becoming clinically competent. This paper will also discuss the use of information technology in the clinical setting, including potential benefits of electronic health records to nurses and the impact of health information technology on consumer health.
As technology has and continues to advance so will the expansion of nursing informatics. Data from (19th annual 2008 himss leadership survey, 2008) hold this statement true showing a steady increase in the implementation of technologies. As computers became smaller, it became easier and efficient for hospitals and physicians office to implement their use. (sutton, 2007)The first computers were large, expensive, and inefficient. Now, computers are compact, inexpensive, and efficient. The smaller technology allows for portability of information. PDA’s are small enough to fit in your pocket. With these small devices, you can look up a patients medication, drug interactions, side effects, and just about anything, you could think of to
In an age of technology and constantly changing information, being able to discern reliable sources on the web is important. Websites are created not only to provide information, but entertainment and financial reasons as well. When evaluating a website, there are nine areas that need to be considered to determine a website’s dependability, such as the author, publisher, accuracy, currency, purpose, content, bias, knowledge, and layout. While researching the 2012 Hurricane Sandy disaster, the following sites, FEMA.gov and Propublica.org, both have a page or pages focused on the relief efforts and methods in which changes are necessary to effectively respond to such a disaster in the future. Though both sites concentrate on the same topic, this is where the similarities end.