Introduction
The advancement of technology in the United States healthcare system has led to numerous changes in how medical operations are executed. Such technologies have made the functions of the healthcare system to be highly computerized. The use of technology in the medicine sector is perceived to reshape how individuals perceive it. Technological usage ranges from patient care, innovation and discovery of better drugs, hospital management, tracking of medical services and outcomes, and storage and retrieval of medical information and data. The shift from traditional operations to the use of information systems show how the benefits of technology are deeply rooted in the delivery of healthcare services (Enticott et al., 2021). Despite the numerous benefits, the adoption of technological software and devices in the healthcare has led to the development of issues and challenges like the lack of an integrated user interface. Additionally, other challenges such as low evidence on the outcomes of the system adoption and misdiagnosis cases influence the functioning and the outcomes of healthcare services.
Technology in the healthcare system in the United States
Even though the level of technology in the healthcare system in the United States is advanced and highly developed, it lacks an integrated user interface for individuals to access healthcare records through a single system. Sittig et al. (2020) state that introducing health information technology within a complex adaptive health system like the one maintained in the United States could improve the quality of care. The adoption of technology in the healthcare system introduced numerous unintended consequences and new challenges. Implementing health information technology in the healthcare system developed challenges in understanding the complex interactions between the processes, people, technologies, and environment (Laurenza et al., 2018). The lack of an integrated user interface between the various aspects in the clinical setting has made it challenging to trust the system as not all the parties can use the system. This challenge has made the parties question the system’s safety since quality healthcare requires a shared sociotechnical approach and responsibility to work effectively. Due to this reason, the system requires the development of an integrated system that would enhance effective interaction between the various stakeholders in the healthcare system.
The transition from traditional to electronic health records was perceived to provide the next frontier to healthcare improvement. The lack of evidence on the outcome of technology integration is a critical issue in the United States. Learning the health system is considered a significant challenge in assessing the effectiveness of the use of technology in the healthcare system (Enticott et al., 2021). The lack of integration of various healthcare sectors is perceived to cause the main challenge of using technology in healthcare, making it challenging to develop measures that would be used to enhance care quality. The learning health system is fragmented, creating a lack of awareness of work done in other healthcare aspects. There is limited information sharing causing challenges in technological adoption, maintenance, reach, and sustainability (Enticott et al., 2021). The lack of evidence on the functionality of the information system implemented in the healthcare system is a significant issue in the United States that must be effectively addressed.
In addition, the adoption of modern technology in the healthcare system was adapted to reduce medical errors in aspects like healthcare diagnosis. However, the system still experiences challenges like misdiagnosis and system breakdown, which jeopardize the health and safety of the patients. According to Verna et al. (2019), diagnostic errors continue to be a priority problem in developed countries like the United States despite the advancement of technology in the healthcare systems. Such challenges are linked to the lack of effective knowledge among healthcare practitioners in using modern technology, leading to diagnostic errors. Inadequate knowledge can also influence the ability to synthesize the evidence obtained from technological devices, which interferes with the efficiency that the technology purports to improve. The lack of necessary knowledge in modern technology is linked to the flaws experienced in the healthcare systems (Verna et al., 2019). Therefore, the united states need to develop mechanisms that would enable the creation of awareness of the various technological advancements in the healthcare system to enhance the quality of care and reduce diagnostic errors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, although the adaption of technology in the healthcare system in the United States has led to improvement in the quality of care, it is linked to numerous issues and challenges. Among the healthcare system’s issues is the lack of an integrated user interface. The healthcare system has led to numerous challenges that make accessing healthcare data through a single system challenging. The complex interactions between various departments have made getting quality care challenging. In addition, the lack of evidence on the effectiveness of the existing system has made it challenging to examine its effectiveness the system. Such issues have made it challenging to develop new technologies, adopt changes, and maintain the existing system to enhance the quality of care to the patients. Lastly, the lack of adequate knowledge to use the systems has led to the persistence of diagnostic errors and misdiagnosis, putting patients’ lives in danger.
References
Enticott, J., Johnson, A., & Teede, H. (2021). Learning health systems using data to drive healthcare improvement and impact: A systematic review. BMC health Services Research, 21(1), 1-16.
Laurenza, E., Quintano, M., Schiavone, F., & Vrontis, D. (2018). The effect of digital technologies adoption in healthcare industry: A case based analysis. Business Process Management Journal.
Sittig, D. F., Wright, A., Coiera, E., Magrabi, F., Ratwani, R., Bates, D. W., & Singh, H. (2020). Current challenges in health information technology–related patient safety. Health Informatics Journal, 26(1), 181-189.
Verna, R., Velazquez, A. B., & Laposata, M. (2019). Reducing diagnostic errors worldwide through diagnostic management teams. Annals of Laboratory Medicine, 39(2), 121-124.