INFORMATION SYSTEMS

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Unit 33 - Information Systems

Assignment 4

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From Kathleen Glass To REF Date Judith Knox KJ/KG 19 May 2011

GOOGLE HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEM 1.0 INTRODUCTION

Information systems are effectively an integrated set of components assigned to collect, store, process and communicate information for organisations. They have become an increasing trend and most organisations now rely on information systems to manage their operations, compete in the marketplace, supply services and augment personal lives. Silver et al. has defined that “information systems have been implemented into organisations for the purpose of improving their effectiveness and efficiency from which they currently operate”. (Silver et al, September 1995, pg 361 – 390, The Information Technology Interaction Model) My final assignment for this underpins the effectiveness of the information system, which Google have recently developed based upon the health and well being of its users. 2.0 GOOGLE HEALTH

Google held a mission to “organise the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful”, they extended this thought to include personal health services. In February 2008, Google developed its first product for healthcare through the introduction of “a new personal 1 Kathleen Glass HND BUSINESS

Unit 33 - Information Systems

Assignment 4

health record (PHR) that is free and available to use anywhere in the United States”. (Irish Times, 27 May 2008, Pg5) Google Health is a personal health information centralisation service, which enables users of Google to volunteer their health records. Users of Goggle Health are therefore able to store, manage and share their personal health and wellness information in one central place. The concept of Google Health was to effectively put “individuals in charge of their own health data, thus enabling it to be readily available to them, if they switch providers, visit an emergency room or search for relevant health information”. (Vesely, R, Sept 2008, Modern Healthcare, Pg 24). John Collins has quoted that “Google is making a significant investment in Google Health, but for once they are coming late”. (Collins, Pg5, Irish Times, 2008). Microsoft has previously developed an online healthcare system, ‘HealthVault’, in October 2007, which was effectively a platform from Microsoft to store and maintain health and fitness information. Damien Mulley, an internet consultant who has used both healthcare systems has defined that Google Health, is an excellent search facility compared to Microsoft, also Goggle develop information from “trusted sources versus a general Goggle search when you can’t be sure how accurate the information is”, (Mulley, Pg5, Irish Times, 2008). Google have developed that the use of their health service online is effectively the next step in healthcare. According to an article released in Health Management Technology, May 2008, “studies repeatedly show that the portion of the population using the Internet to research medical conditions and medications is growing rapidly and shows no indication of slowing down”. (Mc Bride, M, 2008, Pg8, Health Management Technology). Google Health has developed an information system effectively underpinning each aspect of its user’s health issues and concerns. By setting up a Google Health account with the use of a username and password, users are able to benefit from the features of this information system. Google Health users are able to track their wellness metrics, gather and organise medical records, import health data directly into their account from connected doctors, hospitals and retail pharmacies. The main issue arising here is that the users associations must be interfaced with Google Health. Another element of Google Health enables its users to set personal health goals online concerning weight, blood pressure or additional wellness metrics, from which they 2 Kathleen Glass HND BUSINESS

Unit 33 - Information Systems

Assignment 4

can continuously track and monitor. Goggle Health also offers its users the opportunity to share and coordinate their personal information with individuals in the users care network, such as family members, friends and doctors. The user also has the opportunity to stop sharing at any time and they are always able to see who has access to their information. Each user of Goggle Health has the added benefit of being able to access content about health topics from trusted sources and Google search results. In addition, they are also able to connect to apps that are integrated with Google Health that will help the user to better manage their health needs by using Google’s partner directory. Due to the complex nature of the Information system employed by Google Health, there are various criteria and issues that require evaluating. 3.0 EFFECTIVENESS OF GOOGLE HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEM

This healthcare system explores various aspects of its user’s personal information and health requirements. The primary concern for each of the users is the privacy of the information being stored. This has received much contrasting media attention as underlined in the New York Times, who were covering the launch of the online health service discussed privacy issues and noted that “patients apparently did not shun the Google Health records because of qualms that their personal health information might not be secure if held by a large technology company. Others contend that Google Health may be more private than the current paper health record system because of reduced human interaction”. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Health) Additional criteria relating directly to the Google Health system includes the following: Accuracy – This is a prime consideration for Google Health and furthermore the users of the system. When dealing with the health and wellbeing of a patient, it is extremely important to ensure that the information stored on them is accurate and precisely maintained. This healthcare system enables its users to download their medical records from multiple sources directly into their Google Health account, which are therefore viewed to be reasonably accurate; however the users also have the opportunity to manually input the relevant criteria themselves, which leaves the system open to human error. This may be a growing concern for users who have opted to share their information within a specified network, such as family members or with a doctor. For example, a user of Google Health may suffer from obesity, but had agreed with their doctor 3 Kathleen Glass HND BUSINESS

Unit 33 - Information Systems

Assignment 4

to record and monitor their daily food intake and exercise levels, they may however be inclined to ‘let on’ they have carried out their exercise or ate less than they actually have, which therefore misleads their doctor. John Halamka, chief information orhcer at LareGroup Health system and Google advisor, has imposed the accuracy of manually input data to Google Health, by concluding that “the key to Google Health’s success is making sure that users don’t have to input information themselves, but rather be able to access critical data at the click of a mouse”. (Vesely, R, Sept 2008, Modern Healthcare, Pg 24). Suitability – This is effectively ensuring that the healthcare system employed by Google, meets the needs of the business and also the users of the information. Suitability is therefore enforced by Google Health, as its users are able to volunteer their health records, either manually or by logging into their accounts at partnered health services providers. This information is then compiled to provide the user with a merged, personalised health record, relating directly to the information input or devised from a partnered service. Functionality – This system is currently only available to United States residents, however it poses several useful features “including the ability to import medical records, record medications, allergies and procedures, and find a doctor based on name, location or speciality”. The main advantage of this health management tool is that the information is available continually, and that the users are able to search for related information or issues from trusted or verified sources, which thus eliminates the chance of ‘self diagnoses’. Google Health also hosts an impressive list of partners, including Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre in Boston, CVS Caremark and Walgreens. In a recent interview carried out with Roni Zeiger, product manager of Google Health, it was stated, that without the use of a personal health records, much time is spent in defining the medication that patients are currently taking, he stated that of an up-to-date medication list was defined online, then the practice would “tremendously improve his ability to practice efficient and more effective care”. (Weinstock, M, July 2008, Pg14, Hospital & Health Networks). Cost – Google Health is currently a free online health service for users as well as the interlinked partners. There is no charge to doctors' offices, hospitals, retail pharmacies, and health device makers and other application developers that partner with Google Health. On the other hand, some third party companies that are integrated with Google Health and provide customised services may charge the user directly. This has therefore proved extremely cost effective and 4 Kathleen Glass HND BUSINESS

Unit 33 - Information Systems

Assignment 4

Google have stated that “Our primary focus is providing a good user experience and meeting our users' needs”. (http://www.google.com/intl/en-US/health/faq.html). Adam Bosworth, vice president for engineering at Google, has stated, “There is a huge emphasis for technology to improve health care and reduce its cost”. This is effectively the stance that Google Health hopes to achieve in the upcoming years. (Bosworth, A, December 2006, Pg 3.1, New York Times, Health Hazards). Accessible – The information produced from Google Health is highly comprehensible, as the system summarises the data into clearly defined graphs and reports, making it appeal directly to the user and easy to understand. Legal / Privacy – There are many privacy and legal issues surrounding the development of Google Health, purely due to the complex nature of the personal data being transferred and submitted to the users accounts. This is retrospectively the most important issue affecting the success of Google Health. There are three areas of data management and protection, which each apply directly to Google Health. As Google Health handles personal information about individuals, they have a number of legal obligations to protect the information under the Data Protection Act 1998. This act states that it is important for Google Health to attain accurate and up-to-date information and should only be processed in line with individual’s rights. The Freedom of Information Act 2000, enables the users of Google Health, to ask for and be given any information that is held by a public authority. The final act, Computer Misuse Act 1990, has been developed to deal with sources gaining illegal access to a computer system by using another ID or password. Google have continuously reinforced the fact that they believe the users health information belongs directly to them and they should decide how much to share and whom to share it with. They emphasise that “sophisticated security techniques including encryption on connections and serves to ensure the users data remains secure and private”. The benefit of using Google Health compared to addition online health services is that the user has complete control of their account and can stop sharing data at any time, and can continuously check who has access to their information. (http://www.google.com/intl/enUS/health/about/index.html). The office of the Data Protection Commissioner has defined that Google has clear responsibilities in ensuring that its users records and personal information remain private and secure. “The legislation regarding the protection of medical records is extremely stringent and 5 Kathleen Glass HND BUSINESS

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will present challenges for the Internet Company” (http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb? did=1485601851&sid=1&Fmt=3&clientid=17200&RQT=309&VName=PQD). Privacy is a growing concern for Google Health and has received much debatable media attention as they have rapidly added new partnerships. The pace at which Google Health are adding partners is worrisome to some privacy advocates because “Google and many of its new partners don’t fall under the oversight of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Deven McGraw, director of the health privacy project at the Center for Democracy & Technology, has also acknowledged that the privacy issues Google are faced with is a ‘big concern’. Most users of Google Health are unaware that as Google is not considered a “covered entity they so not have to abide by HIPAA. (http://brighthub.com/health/technology/articles/7264.aspx.xzz1MWA22p7y). Ethical – The storage of data and information held by Google Health will also be affected by the responsibility of ethical use of data. Google however, have continuously expressed that the data provided by the users and the relevant data drawn from the associated partners, will only be used in a reasonable manner and not to the detriment of the individual. Google Health has also tried to eliminate any ethical issues arising over the use of their information system, by ensuring that all users personal data remains confidential. Google have also applied encryption methods to ensure that all data is protected. 4.0 EVALUATION

From researching and drawing suitable, thus relevant conclusions as to the issues that affect the information system employed by Google health. While carried out my research I found that through extensive research that had previously been carried out, there were contrasting opinions about the service and also the privacy features of the system. I however feel that Google Health is a revelation for the health care industry, due to the fact that many companies, such as Wal Mart, are now evolving into e-health records, and has effectively become a ‘trend’ throughout society. In addition, due to the excelling that Google have throughout the world I feel they are adequately equipped to deal with any privacy concerns that may arise. Google is also able to cater for every sector of the community, and is available 24/7, which enables users to access and view their content where and when, required. From Google Health’s 6 Kathleen Glass HND BUSINESS

Unit 33 - Information Systems

Assignment 4

official website I was able to attain the personal views and opinion of a single mother, who uses Google health. This user provided extremely positive feedback on the information system, “What I like about Google Health is that you have instant access to your health information so you do not have to patch together a list of your current prescriptions. It's all stored in one central place and available securely on the web." Linda Macomber, Google Health User. (http://www.google.com/intl/en_us/health/about/userstories.html). In the near future, Google also hopes to expand their user base and “forge what they call a new eco system, where innovative healthcare organisations, such as emergency records access companies, can integrate with Google Health and develop their own business models”. (Roni Zeiger, July 2008, Pg14, Hospital & Health Networks). This will clearly be a major step forward for the Health Care industry and also Google Health, who can provide the tools and information to further the patient-doctor relationship to make sure that decisions are made together that are effective and efficient. This would not only see happy patients, more returns customers but also an improved quality of care.

Bibliography
Silver et al, September 1995, pg 361 – 390, The Information Technology Interaction Model Irish Times, 27 May 2008, Pg5 Vesely, R, Sept 2008, Modern Healthcare, Pg 24 7 Kathleen Glass HND BUSINESS

Unit 33 - Information Systems Collins, Pg5, Irish Times, 2008 Mulley, Pg5, Irish Times, 2008 Mc Bride, M, 2008, Pg8, Health Management Technology Vesely, R, Sept 2008, Modern Healthcare, Pg 24 Weinstock, M, July 2008, Pg14, Hospital & Health Networks Bosworth, A, December 2006, Pg 3.1, New York Times, Health Hazards Roni Zeiger, July 2008, Pg14, Hospital & Health Networks http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Health http://www.google.com/intl/en-US/health/faq.html http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?

Assignment 4

did=1485601851&sid=1&Fmt=3&clientid=17200&RQT=309&VName=PQD http://brighthub.com/health/technology/articles/7264.aspx.xzz1MWA22p7y http://www.google.com/intl/en_us/health/about/userstories.html http://www.google.com/intl/en-US/health/about/index.html

8 Kathleen Glass HND BUSINESS

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