AHRQ: New Evidence Report Shows Consumer Health Informatics Applications Can Improve Health Care Processes
“AHRQ released (October 2009) a new evidence report, Impact of Consumer Health Informatics Applications, which found that consumer health informatics applications can help improve health care processes, such as medication adherence. These applications are defined as patient-focused electronic tools to support health improvement, process outcomes, and patient-centered care. The benefits of using such applications apply to a variety of clinical conditions, including cancer, smoking, diabetes mellitus, physical activity, and mental health disorders. The report also identified important knowledge gaps in the new and emerging field of consumer health informatics. Researchers, led by M. Christopher Gibbons, M.D., M.P.H., at AHRQ’s Johns Hopkins University Evidence-based Practice Center, concluded that while the applications offer significant promise and potential to positively impact select clinical outcomes, more research is needed to determine conclusions on impact in many areas.”
e-Healthcare Marketing
Health Information Exchange, Electronic Health Records and Personal Health Records
