The Potential for Health Information Technology Tools to Reduce Racial Disparities in Maternal Morbidity and Mortality

Purpose: Black men are more likely to die as a result of prostate cancer than white men, despite effective treatments that improve survival for clinically significant prostate cancer. We undertook this study to identify gaps in prostate cancer care quality, racial disparities in care, and underlying reasons for poorer quality care. Methods: We identified all black men and random age-matched white men with Gleason scores ≥ 7 diagnosed between 2006 and 2013 at two urban hospitals to determine rates of treatment underuse. Underuse was defined as not receiving primary surgery, cryotherapy, or radiotherapy. We then interviewed treating physicians about the reasons for underuse. Results: Of 359 black and 282 white men, only 25 (4%) experienced treatment underuse, and 23 (92%) of these were black. Most (78%) cases of underuse were due to system failures, where treatment was recommended but not received; 38% of these men continued receiving care at the hospitals. All men with treatment underuse due to system failures were black. Conclusion: Treatment rates of prostate cancer are high. Yet, racial disparities in rates and causes of underuse remain. Only black men experienced system failures, a type of underuse amenable to health information technology–based solutions. Institutions are missing opportunities to use their health information technology capabilities to reduce disparities in cancer care.

Download Full-text

What it means to be a woman in the field of biomedical informatics: exploring the lived experiences of women managers in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association ◽

10.1093/jamia/ocaa165 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Raniah N Aldekhyyel ◽

Jwaher A Almulhem ◽

Samar Binkheder ◽

Ruaim A Muaygil ◽

Shahad N Aldekhyyel

Keyword(s):

Information Technology ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Health Information Technology ◽

Health Information ◽

Lived Experiences ◽

Women Managers ◽

Biomedical Informatics ◽

Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia ◽

Technology Tools ◽

Experiences Of Women

Abstract Objective Although women in the field of biomedical informatics (BMI) are part of a golden era, little is known about their lived experiences as informaticians. Guided by feminist standpoint theory, this study aims to understand the impact of social change in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia- in the form of new policies supporting women and health technological advancements—in the field of BMI and its women informaticians. Materials and Methods We conducted semistructured telephone interviews with 7 women managers in the field of BMI, identified through LinkedIn. We analyzed interview transcripts to generate themes about their lived experiences, how they perceived health information technology tools, identified challenges that may hinder the advancement of the field, and explored the future of BMI from their perspectives. During our analysis, we utilized a feminist theoretical approach. Results Women managers in the field of BMI shared similar experiences and perspectives. Our analysis generated 10 themes: (1) career beginning, (2) opportunities given, (3) career achievements, (4) gender-based experiences, (5) meaning of BMI, (6) meaning of health information technology tools, (7) challenges, (8) overcoming challenges, (9) future and hopes, and (10) meaning of “2030 Saudi vision.” Early in their careers, participants experienced limited opportunities and misperceptions in understanding what the field of informatics represents. Participants did not feel that gender was an issue, despite what feminist theory would have predicted. Conclusions Recognizing the lived experiences of women in the field of BMI contributes to our collective understanding of how these experiences may enhance our knowledge of the field.

Download Full-text