Scratching the Surface: Using Informatics in Education

The health care system continues to evolve and develop new ways to provide for quality patient care. Many new platforms are being integrated into the current system, or will be implemented within the next few years, that will grossly change the way health care is performed and delivered. New data will emerge from these various avenues (i.e., computerized physician order entry, electronic health record [EHR], national health care) and provide a wealth of insights into pathological and epidemiological processes. Consequently, health care workers will need to be proficient in using these various platforms. Nursing educators must therefore have a strong understanding of the emerging technologies and be able to implement the use of research and EHRs as well as provide students with updated information on diseases and appropriate interventions. Data analytics will provide educators the necessary tools to teach nursing students the most current evidence-based practice. Transparency between all health care arenas will enable new information to be relayed quickly and appropriately.