MODULE 5

What, if any relationship do you see between the information available on this webpage and regulatory, accreditation, and reimbursement issues and healthcare information system use and design? 

The AHRQ website is a credible source and for that reason is a good resource for consumers and providers alike. I think it is important for patients to be able to feel like they play a part in their health decisions. This site allow them to navigate several different areas pertaining to healthcare including information on prescription drugs, prevention methods and information about diseases and conditions, based on evidenced resources. While it is important for the patient to take an active role in their health, it would also be crucial to have their concerns evaluated and validated, in person, by a healthcare provider. Of areas that I navigated on AHRQ, general information was provided which I am sure ties into their disclaimer, but patients need to be aware of this and that each case can vary and should not be used as a diagnosis tool. There is limitless information available in the Internet and most are not credible. Patients do need to be aware of this and educated on how to decide if the site they are navigating is credible. I thought the ehealth webcast guest (can't remember which one) provided a good explaination that we can give to our patients when they are inquiring about symptoms based on a web site. He stated that the web servers give information based on relevance to specific symptoms and not the liklihood of those symptoms actually being the diagnosis given the whole picture. The Internet can be a helpful tool, and the patient's concerns should be taken into consideration without devalueing their input, but we cannot take away the power of a physical examination, definitive lab tests, radiographic studies and individualization.