Introduction
Modern computer technologies have changed the approach to decision-making processes in all areas, including medicine. Decision-making is a process based on collecting the maximum amount of information necessary for the problem, rapid processing and analysis, creating many solutions, and choosing the most suitable one. In this process, efficient collection of information and fast processing play a key role, especially in the speed of decision-making. Using centralized repositories speeds up and increases the efficiency of the data collection process. In medicine, this allows faster, less biased, and more informed fact-based decisions.
Chronic Disease Management Systems (CDMS)
In modern healthcare, many digital tools and applications make life easier for healthcare professionals. The now ubiquitous Electronic Health Records contain detailed patient clinical data easily transferred from organization to organization if needed. One of the most modern and promising applications is Chronic Disease Management Systems (CDMS), which allow efficient collection and tracking of patient information (Lee et al., 2018). Typically, such applications collect patient health information from installed sensors and through the use of patient logs (Lee et al., 2018). In this way, the therapist can track changes in a person’s chronic disease state (Lee et al., 2018). Moreover, CDMS can give patients access to fact-based clinical guidelines prior to the doctor’s visit.
CDMS Impact on Quality of Decision Making
Choosing and monitoring the proper treatment improves the patient’s well-being, reduces the risk of exacerbations, and leads to longer life expectancy. The critical factor for the doctor in this process is the collection of up-to-date and accurate information. This is where CDMS, which tracks the condition of chronically ill patients, helps. First, such applications allow health workers to collect more information for decision-making (Kim & Lee, 2017). Second, doctors can adjust treatment more flexibly and quickly without repeatedly forcing the patient to undergo lengthy examinations (Kim & Lee, 2017). Third, real-time tracking provides the opportunity to try multiple treatment options and see immediate results (Kim & Lee, 2017). The key challenge is to reduce the complexity of the many individual decisions that can help in decision-making.
Process for Selecting and Implementing CDMS
CDMS is used for patients with chronic diseases who constantly take medications and need to monitor their condition. The doctor should be able to track in time whether the patient needs additional medications, tests, or a visit to the doctor (Lee et al., 2018). In the case of chronic conditions, timely treatment and control of the disease help prolong a person’s life and avoid transitioning from a chronic form of the disease to an acute one.
Costs Associated with the Application
Purchasing and using such apps can seem expensive, as maintaining an app can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars per person (Begoli et al., 2019). However, studies have shown that this allows physicians to make more informed and efficient decisions, saving staff time and hospital and patient costs for procedures and medications (Begoli et al., 2019). In addition, medical workers can reduce the burden on the medical system, as patients who feel well may not come for check-ups that are not necessary.
The full range of services in the application may only be needed for some patients, but still many people with chronic diseases. The price of such software per managed patient can range from $0.99 per month to $8 (Kim & Lee, 2017). The cost of such services can reach $ 20-30 per month, as there will be a need to use reading sensors (Kim & Lee, 2017). The doctor or nurse should weigh the cost/benefit of these apps, as although this is a financial investment, it can pay off with fewer visits to the doctor and reduced spending on medications. Moreover, some services provide direct integration with other medical applications, such as electronic health records (EHR) and reporting platforms for data analysis. These features may further impact the cost but may be of great benefit to the medical practice.
Nurses’ Role in Selecting and Evaluating the Application
Nurses actively implement evidence-based practices that provide patients with the best treatment approaches. They must monitor the use of IT technologies and applications on a daily basis and coordinate documentation and security (Grote & Berens, 2020). Nurses are primarily concerned with the continuity of the clinical process and must be able to work with the IT professionals who maintain applications (Grote & Berens, 2020). In addition, nurses explain to patients how to use apps effectively and discuss ethical and other considerations with patients (Grote & Berens, 2020). Thus, nurses must be able to work with the technologies used in the hospital and evaluate their work.
Conclusion
IT technologies have positively influenced medicine, creating many tools for a more efficient and informed decision-making process. Among the many technologies, Chronic Disease Management Systems are among the most beneficial applications for both patients and hospitals. They allow chronically ill people to monitor their condition, avoiding exacerbations, deterioration, or seizures. For medical institutions, these applications reduce time and money costs by reallocating time to more urgent cases. Nurses play a crucial role in keeping medical applications running smoothly, so they must be intimately familiar with how they work.
References
Begoli, E., Bhattacharya, T. & Kusnezov, D. (2019). The need for uncertainty quantification in machine-assisted medical decision-making. Nat Mach Intell 1, 20–23. Web.
Grote, T., & Berens, P. (2020). On the ethics of algorithmic decision-making in healthcare. Journal of Medical Ethics, 46(3), 205-211. Web.
Kim, B. Y., & Lee, J. (2017). Smart devices for older adults managing chronic disease: A scoping review. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 5(5), e7141. Web.
Lee, J. A., Choi, M., Lee, S. A., & Jiang, N. (2018). Effective behavioral intervention strategies using mobile health applications for chronic disease management: A systematic review. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 18(1), 1-18. Web.