Ethical Issues In Health Care

Words: 640
Pages: 3

Introduction
The purpose of this paper is to examine how evolving high-tech healthcare practices and systems can affect access to healthcare and communication with providers by the nation’s current aging population. In order to meet the ever growing demand for healthcare services, healthcare systems are taking advantage of technology in the ways they communicate and address their patients medically. However, there is a concern with how that evolution is affecting the healthcare access and communication for elderly patients over the age of sixty-five. Patient portals, email communications, and online diagnosis and treatment programs run the risk of leaving a technically illiterate or compromised population lacking with regard to healthcare communications. Poor communication with elderly patients can lead to missed appointments, medication errors, and worsening chronic conditions. To navigate an ever growing and evolving healthcare system can be difficult for patients of any age, but for the elderly, with limited access and knowledge, and who also face age bias, can be an even more challenging obstacle to overcome.
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I will address the aging population itself and the projected growth numbers for that population, as well as the issue of elder bias, or what Dr. Robert N. Butler termed, ageism. Also, I will explore what research to date has shown as practical barriers faced by the elderly in this age of technology. And finally, I will consider the ethical issues involved in a healthcare system that must adapt to an ever-growing demand for access while also attending to its elderly population that presents with the most pressing need for healthcare