Applications and impact of computer technologies in management of multimorbidity

J Pak Med Assoc. 2020 Sep;70(9):1572-1576. doi: 10.5455/JPMA.37601.

Abstract

Objective: To highlight clinical scenarios and healthcare practitioners' difficulties where computer applications can help in multimorbidity management.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2017 to January 2019 in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan, and comprised local physicians/practitioners. Data was collected using a self-generated questionnaire which was distributed among the subjects. It identified four problems as most commonly faced: treatment/dose management, time management, forgetting to ask necessary questions about disease, and 'others', such as bad handwriting errors and ethical issues. Data was analysed using SPSS 17.

Results: Of the 53 subjects, 33(62%) marked problems related to treatment management, 35(66%) marked problems related to shortage of time, 34(64%) marked those related to difficulty in asking relevant questions about disease, 15(28%) marked the 'other' option.

Conclusions: Computer technologies are significantly helpful in managing the problems of treating multimorbidity by adopting standard database.

Keywords: Multimorbidity, Computer Technologies, Database Integration, SPSS..

MeSH terms

  • Computers
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Delivery of Health Care*
  • Humans
  • Multimorbidity*
  • Pakistan