March Community Medical School Gives Peak Inside Health Care Technology

The most recent Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Community Medical School course featured three leading experts in the field of health information technology. Susan McBride, Ph.D., R.N., professor, Laura Thomas, Ph.D., R.N., assistant professor, and Steph Hoelscher, BSN, R.N., CHISP, each presented unique aspects of the new information technology that is reshaping the patient experience.
The course began with “Measles, Immunizations and Your Child,” a brief overview of the U.S. measles outbreak, which began several months ago in California, by Fatma Levent, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics and a pediatric infectious disease expert. Levent described the first signs and symptoms of a measles infection, as well explained the factors related to measles being highly contagious and the critical importance of timely immunizations.
McBride examined the changes that have come about since the advent of the HITECH Act was introduced in 2004. The HITECH act was implemented to create an incentive for providers to make health care records more accessible for patients and providers using the Internet. In the years since, patient portals and electronic health records have expedited and streamlined much of the patient’s experience.
Thomas described the means by which providers can qualify for financial incentives to adapt the new health information technology. By verifying the practice’s meaningful use, or substantial value to the patient, providers receive incentives for the expansion and maintenance of new systems.
Finally, Hoelscher gave a tour of the patient portal offered by TTUHSC and its affiliates for patients. The audience was able to see exactly how to contact a provider directly, view medical history and pertinent information like a medication or known allergy list.
Community Medical School will continue April 21 with, “How Simulation Learning Reduces Errors in Health Care and Promotes Safety for Patients,” by Sharon Decker, Ph.D., R.N., professor.
Related Stories
Summer Program Introduces Medical Students to the Research Laboratory
Each year, approximately 100 first-year TTUHSC School of Medicine students — more than half of the Lubbock class — step out of the classroom and into the laboratory to spend part of their summer making unique discoveries through the Medical Student Summer Research Program (MSSRP).
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing Named Best Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program in Texas
The TTUHSC School of Nursing Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program has been ranked the No. 1 accelerated nursing program in Texas by RegisteredNursing.org.
TTUHSC Names New Regional Dean for the School of Nursing
Louise Rice, DNP, RN, has been named regional dean of the TTUHSC School of Nursing on the Amarillo campus.
Recent Stories
Summer Program Introduces Medical Students to the Research Laboratory
Each year, approximately 100 first-year TTUHSC School of Medicine students — more than half of the Lubbock class — step out of the classroom and into the laboratory to spend part of their summer making unique discoveries through the Medical Student Summer Research Program (MSSRP).
TTUHSC Researcher Awarded CPRIT Grant to Study Type of Pediatric Bone Cancer
CPRIT recently awarded a two-year, $198,822 grant to Balakrishna Koneru, Ph.D., an assistant professor of pediatrics at TTUHSC’s School of Medicine and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
From Classroom to Clinic: Building the Future of Speech-Language Pathology
The Clinical Experience Course in the Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences program at TTUHSC provides students with hands-on, practical application of the theoretical knowledge learned in the classroom.
