The number of health care resources in the U.S. is ranked 28 out of 34 with 2.5 physicians per 1000 population, which is less than the average of 3.2 for other OECD countries (OECD, 2015c). This is due in part to the high cost of medical training and education (Zhu & Metzler, 2012). The U.S. has a higher number of specialist physicians. Therefore, the fees are two to three times higher than other countries. The U.S. compared to other countries had fewer hospital beds, shorter lengths of stay and fewer hospital discharges. However, hospital stays were far more expensive than other countries. The aggressive approach to treating the very sick and elderly drive costs as well. The U.S. treats the elderly and end of life patients in the hospital,
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The use of mobile technologies to collect and distribute information has helped significantly with the prevention and treatment of disease over the past few decades (Encinosa & Bae, 2011). The U.S. has increased their use of health information technology, which is helping to close the gap that other countries have been leading in (Encinosa & Bae, 2011). Government incentives and regulations encourage physicians to utilize integrated medical records that can be accessible by providers and patients. New technologies lead more people to be treated for diseases, which improve quality of life. Reports from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimate a potential annual net savings of $80 billion with the adoption of electronic medical records (EMRs) (Encinosa & Bae, 2011). The use of EMRs’ can reduce patient safe issues, and decrease medical cost by eliminating duplicative testing and imaging. The annual cost associated with new technology is estimated at 40 to 50 percent of the overall health care costs. The American people expect new technology to save lives and physicians are trained in the use of the latest medical equipment. Therefore, this creates an ethical discussion around medical technology and the value that technology brings to the U.S. citizens. Medical technology is not cheap however; the benefits can help clinicians deliver more effective and efficient care (Encinosa & Bae, 2011). The benefits of developing new technologies can improve the quality outcomes of individuals. Eliminating the use of transcription and allowing the physician to capture information in real time, which speeds the process of follow up care and referrals. The use of EMRs allow physicians to monitor quality of care such as ordering preventative testing, imaging, and managing complex conditions. Increasing safety is another benefit of an
The use of mobile technologies to collect and distribute information has helped significantly with the prevention and treatment of disease over the past few decades (Encinosa & Bae, 2011). The U.S. has increased their use of health information technology, which is helping to close the gap that other countries have been leading in (Encinosa & Bae, 2011). Government incentives and regulations encourage physicians to utilize integrated medical records that can be accessible by providers and patients. New technologies lead more people to be treated for diseases, which improve quality of life. Reports from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimate a potential annual net savings of $80 billion with the adoption of electronic medical records (EMRs) (Encinosa & Bae, 2011). The use of EMRs’ can reduce patient safe issues, and decrease medical cost by eliminating duplicative testing and imaging. The annual cost associated with new technology is estimated at 40 to 50 percent of the overall health care costs. The American people expect new technology to save lives and physicians are trained in the use of the latest medical equipment. Therefore, this creates an ethical discussion around medical technology and the value that technology brings to the U.S. citizens. Medical technology is not cheap however; the benefits can help clinicians deliver more effective and efficient care (Encinosa & Bae, 2011). The benefits of developing new technologies can improve the quality outcomes of individuals. Eliminating the use of transcription and allowing the physician to capture information in real time, which speeds the process of follow up care and referrals. The use of EMRs allow physicians to monitor quality of care such as ordering preventative testing, imaging, and managing complex conditions. Increasing safety is another benefit of an