Information Technology in Health-Care Systems and Primary Health Care

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Health information technology (HIT) is being increasingly necessary to manage the ever-increasing amount of data generate by the health system in general, including primary health care (PHC). AIM: This study aimed to provide an overview of HIT being currently use in the health systems and PHC as well as to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of HIT options. METHODS: This is a narrative literature review of papers, documents, and websites that address and discuss HIT for the health systems. The analysis of the retrieved materials provided an overview of the importance of HIT for the health system, the various options of health technology currently available, as well as the future trends. Strengths and weaknesses have been highlighted as well. RESULTS: HIT is being increasingly used in the health sector, as an indispensable tool to handle the extraordinary amount of data being generated by the health system but also as an instrument to improve the quality of health care through the reduction of medical errors and health care-associated costs, improvement of patient follow-up and monitoring, and also as a tool that informs and guides clinical decision-making. A large variety of HIT options is available, including telehealth, telemedicine, mobile health, electronic medical records, electronic health records, personal health records, electronic prescriptions (e-prescriptions), wearables, metadata, and even artificial intelligence. Each HIT option has its own advantages and disadvantages. PHC could benefit from the implementation of various HIT options. CONCLUSIONS: The decision which HIT option(s) to employ will depend on many factors, but the process needs to employ small steps, strong political will, cooperation, and coordination between all stakeholders.