Module 5

The Internet provides information within seconds. Yet how much is reliable and accurate?Knowing where to look and how to search for credible information is the issue at hand.
The site http://www.ahrq.gov/ has an abundance of accurate, current, reliable data available. With this data, one is able to search research information, health and prevention, symptomology, etc. The information available to the health care provider and the patient is invaluable. By being current in your knowledge of the changes that occur in healthc are will enable you to be a more thorough provide.
The podcast "E-Health" discussed hypochondria related to the ease of information collection. When patients present with concerns that have been escalated due to searching for information on the Internet, what type of dilemma does this represent for the health care provider. When a patient presents with information and is requesting certain tests be ran to confirm a diagnosis that they have in their minds, health care providers are at an impasse. If providers do not run these tests because they do not think they are pertinent to their findings, patients and family members can become upset and distraught feeling that their concerns were not validated. If the provider runs these tests to placate the patient, even though they know it is not valuable information, they run the risk of not being reimbursed adequately. This can also leave the patient with quite a large medical bill to pay.
Another ethical issue that is introduced when using the internet is the lack of safety measures when a patient or provider is looking for information or sharing information with a colleague. With tracking cookies, tracking software, and theft of information from the web. What prevents a patient from being taken advantage of or even being convinced to use products for their symptoms that are not safe or may interact with their current health care regime and medications.
Technology is a great advantage, but it can also cause ethical concerns and people must be cautious and diligent in their searches.