What is the utility of a linear model of patient care as the basis for a decision-support system? What are two primary limitations? Discuss two challenges that a nonlinear model poses for representing and supporting the care process in an information system?
Compare and contrast “segregated” versus “integrated” models of interdisciplinary patient care. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each model as a mode of care delivery? As the basis for developing information systems to plan, document, and support patient care?
Imagine a patient-care information system that assists in planning the care of each patient independently of all the other patients in a service center or patient-care unit. What are three advantages to the developer in choosing such information architecture? What would be the likely result in the real world of practice? Does it make a difference whether the practice setting is hospital, ambulatory care, or home care? What would be the simplest information architecture that would be sufficiently complex to handle real-world demands? Explain.
A number of patient-care information systems designed in the 1970s are still in use. How do the practice models, payer models, and quality focus of today differ from those of the past? What differences do these changes require in information systems? What are two advantages and two disadvantages of “retrofitting” these changes on older systems versus designing new systems “from scratch”?
