ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES(ES)

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Lesson 32: Role of information and technology

Role of information technology on Human health

1. Electronic Health Information Sources: An enormous amount of health information is available in electronic form. Recently, a new graphical interface to the internet, known as World Wide Web has made it possible to rapidly retrieve, arrange and display on web pages the contents of files on health information rather than just their names and for users to transfer from resource to resource along a virtually endless web of hyperlinks with the click of a mouse button.
   
2. Bringing Health care online: Health care contains information about Medicare and Medicaid and various related web sites guide consumers to a wide variety of health information available through agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institute on Aging etc. including the full text of clinical practice guidelines, quick-reference guides for clinicians and consumer brochures developed with the support of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. Many institutions maintain web sites with information about communicable diseases, epidemics, population-based health care and on international health issues.
   
3. Medical Images: The new version of web browsers are capable of displaying photographic images and video clips have been developed and World Wide Web has become an ideal medium for distributing medical images for instructional and historic purposes. Documentation and display of human anatomy in a series of photographic and computerized images of cross-sections of a human body are now possible through Internet. Telemedicine and distance medicine is far-reaching and available to many people with the advent of information technology.
   
Presently, two unique projects are functioning which are designed and implemented with the support of information technology. Both are developed taking the optimum advantage of IT application and are running under public private partnership. These two projects namely:
Health Management Research Institute (HMRI), Emergency Management Research Institute (EMRI) are providing quick and emergency services on a call over all free numbers ‘104’ and ‘108’. The services include medical advice, counseling, information, tele-medicine and tele monitoring and hospital management.
There are some projects like NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH MISSION (NRHM) & PRIMARY HEALTH CENTRES (PHCs) which are designed and implemented with the support of information technology.

1. The computer age has turned the world around due to the incredible rapidity with which IT spreads knowledge.
   
2. IT can do several tasks extremely rapidly, accurately and spread the information through the world’s net works of millions of computer systems.
   
3. A few examples of the use of computer technology that aid environmental studies include software such as using geographical information systems (GIS).
   
4. GIS is a tool to map land use patterns and document change by studying digitized top sheets and/or satellite imaginary. Once this is done, an expert can ask a variety of question which the software can answer by producing maps which helps in land use planning.
   
5. The internet with it thousands of websites has made it very simple to get the appropriate environmental information for any study or environmental management planning.
   

Information technology has the potential to improve the quality, safety and efficiency of health care delivery. In general, IT facilitates health care providers to collect, store, retrieve and transfer information electronically. IT has the potential to enhance the quality in 3 major areas of any health care system – personal health management. Health care delivery and public health technology application contribute to get better quality of care, reduce medical errors and loosen administrated cost in these areas.

4. Health management research institute (HMRI):
   Other computer systems SICEL, INAN AND SIOM track the CD4 counts of HIV Positive individuals, new HIV CASES, and AIDS death rates, respectively. These computer systems help in reporting new HIV cases, and identifying geographical areas, where HIV prevalence may be rising, so that necessary action may be taken speedily. These monitoring systems also serve important planning, monitoring, and advocacy purposes for HIV/AIDS in Brazil.
   Health Management Research Institute (HMRI) in association with the Government of India (GOI) and Satyam foundation, Hyderabad provides health care services on call over a toll free number ‘104’ which is available round the clock. Through this number people can have access to the details of dispensaries, diagnostic centres, medical shops and hospitals in the locality, medical colleges, rehabilitation ensures that the drugs are dispensed according to therapy guidelines, and helps manage the supply of drugs in Brazil’s vast geographical area. Over 75% of Brazil’s 800000 HIV Positive individuals are covered on-line by rainforest, provides such information via river boat, airplane and mobile telephone.
5. Emergency management research institute (EMRI): Satyam computers, an IT organization with the collaboration of Government of Andhra Pradesh, India, is providing emergency response services within the state of Andhra Pradesh through ‘108’ which enables distress calls. This number is a toll-free service and can be accessed both on land line and mobile. Recognized as a nodal agency by the government, EMRI reaches out to rescue people involved in critical accidents and emergencies. It has over 775 ambulances put into service in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Uttarakhand. Through public-private partnership, EMRI at present is involved in providing comprehensive coverage to medical, police and fire emergencies as well.
   Internet & websites: Health information technologies help patients to know more information about their health status which lightens the burden of physician or surgeon who treat them.
   
Internet & websites are playing a key role in providing health information to public. However, access to internet is again limited to cities and major towns but now slowly the countryside is getting familiar with this not – so – new technology.

6. Telemedicine: It is being used for consultations between rural and urban practitioners. Though private hospitals and institutions are quick in adoption, it is interesting & appreciable to note that the government has also made major efforts in this direction. NRHM & PHCS, HMRI are using this technology.