Assignment 1: ICT, Computer System and Architecture – ICT in medicine

Group: BDA-2407
Moldagaliyeva Gulnaz, Tlebaldina Inkar, Kabdygaliyeva Ayanat, Samatova Sabina
Introduction
For this assignment, we will develop an ICT-enabled healthcare system, focusing on the
application of ICT to enhance patient care and medical services. This system will emphasize the
potential of online medical consultations, health data analytics, patient relationship management
(PRM), and integration with wearable health devices, personalized medicine, and innovative
methods for patient engagement. We will explore the role of ICT in improving healthcare
delivery, its advantages and disadvantages, innovations in the field, and the future potential of
ICT in transforming the medical industry.
Task 1: Research
1. Key components of ICT in medicine
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is playing a main role in revolutionizing
the medical field, significantly impacting the quality, accessibility, and efficiency of healthcare.
Let’s delve deeper into each aspect:
1. Improving the Quality of Medical Services:
• Enhanced Diagnosis and Treatment:
• Medical Imaging: CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds provide highly detailed images, helping in
accurate diagnoses and treatment planning.
• Personalized Healthcare:
• Genomics and Biobanking: Genetic testing and personalized medicine tailor treatments to
individual needs, increasing the chances of successful outcomes.
• Patient Engagement:
• Patient Portals: Provide patients with access to their medical records, lab results, and
appointment scheduling, promoting active involvement in their care.
2. Accelerate Access to Health Information and Data:
• Online Medical Information: Access to reliable medical information online allows people to
make informed decisions about their health.
• Global Collaboration and Research: Provides a faster exchange of medical knowledge and
research results, contributing to the improvement of treatment methods.
• Medical Databases and Research: Large databases allow researchers to analyze huge amounts
of data, identifying trends and developing new treatments.
3. Improving the Efficiency of Medical Institutions:
• Automated Processes: ICTs simplify administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments,
billing, and record keeping, freeing up healthcare professionals to care for patients.
• Data Analytics: Medical data analysis helps institutions identify trends, optimize resource
allocation, and effectively manage costs.
• Workflow Optimization: ICT solutions improve communication and coordination between
different departments of medical institutions, increasing efficiency and patient flow.
• Remote Monitoring and Telehealth: Remote monitoring of patients allows for early
intervention, reducing the number of repeat hospitalizations and improving the overall
management of medical care.
 2. Advantages and Disadvantages of ICT in medicine
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has transformed the healthcare system in
several ways, offering both advantages and disadvantages.
ADVANTAGES:
1) Better patient outcomes: the ability to store and access patient information electronically;
The use of EHRs (that means: electronic health record, the center that stores information about
all medical events) and health information systems have facilitated rapid access to patient's
medical records for healthcare professionals, enabling them to make informed decisions and
keep track of what is happening with their patients. This can help to improve the quality of care
and make sure that patients are getting the appropriate treatment they need.
2) Enhanced collaboration: The adoption of ICT in healthcare has improved the efficiency of
the healthcare system, enabling healthcare professionals to spend more time with patients and
less time on administrative tasks. Furthermore, ICT has facilitated telemedicine, allowing
healthcare providers to remotely consult with patients, particularly in rural or underserved
regions with limited access to healthcare services.
3) Cost-effectiveness: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) decreases the
requirement for face-to-face appointments and hospital stays by utilizing telemedicine, resulting
in potential cost savings within the healthcare industry. Although, automation of processes can
reduce administrative expenses.
4) Enhanced medical research: ICT facilitates large-scale data collection, storage, and analysis,
thereby driving advancements in medical research and drug development. Big data and machine
learning enable the prediction of trends, diseases, and patient outcomes, resulting in the
development of more personalized treatments.

DISADVANTAGES:
1) Reliance on technology: that means if the computers stop working or the power goes out, it
can really affect how doctors and nurses take care of people. Hospitals need to have strong
backup plans ready so that they can still help patients even if something goes wrong with the
machines. And additionally, If data is accidently deleted or altered it can lead to a wrong
diagnosis or treatment plan, or other adverse events.
2) Privacy and security risks: In some cases ICT might open up the potential risk for data to be
accessed by third parties. Digital patient data is susceptible to hacking and breaches, which may
put confidential health information at risk. Staying compliant with privacy laws such as HIPAA
can be challenging. Whether intentionally breached by malicious actors
or accidentally exposed, cases abound of patient data making its way into the wrong hands.
3) Technological barriers: in some areas, the usefulness of ICT in healthcare delivery might be
limited by a lack of dependable internet or IT infrastructure. Not all patients or healthcare
workers feel comfortable using advanced technology, which could result in potential gaps in
care. It is essential for healthcare providers to address these disparities and ensure that all
patients have equal access to the benefits of ICT.
3. Innovations and examples of ICT in medicine
1. Electronic Health Records (EHRs):
- Global Use – Epic Systems (USA): Epic is one of the most widely used EHR systems in
hospitals across the U.S., providing a comprehensive platform for storing patient medical
histories, treatment plans, and diagnoses.
- Kazakhstan – eHealth: Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Health launched an eHealth initiative in 2019,
digitizing medical records across the country to improve communication between clinics and
hospitals. The system is used by both public and private healthcare providers to store patient data
securely and streamline care.

2. Telemedicine:
- Global Use – Teladoc (USA): Teladoc is one of the leading telemedicine platforms, offering
virtual consultations for patients across the U.S., Canada, and beyond. It became especially
popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing remote medical consultations.
- Kazakhstan – Damumed Telemedicine: In Kazakhstan, the Damumed system allows patients to
access remote consultations with doctors. This is especially valuable for people living in rural
areas, where access to specialized care is limited.

3. Wearable Health Devices:

- Global Use – Apple Watch (USA): The Apple Watch, equipped with health sensors, allows
users to monitor heart rate, detect irregularities like atrial fibrillation, and track fitness. It’s
widely used for continuous monitoring of heart conditions.
- Kazakhstan – Medtronic Guardian Connect: Medtronic’s Guardian Connect is a wearable
device for diabetes management that is used in Kazakhstan. It continuously monitors glucose
levels and sends real-time alerts to the user’s smartphone, helping patients manage their
condition more effectively.

4. Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Diagnosis:

- Global Use – IBM Watson Health (USA): IBM Watson Health uses AI to analyze medical
records and assist doctors in diagnosing diseases like cancer. It processes massive datasets to
identify treatment options based on real-world cases.
- Kazakhstan – Nuralogix AI: In Kazakhstan, the Nuralogix system is being tested in hospitals to
analyze facial patterns using AI to predict health risks like hypertension and cardiovascular
diseases. This innovative technology helps doctors make faster diagnoses.

5. Robotic Surgery:
- Global Use – Da Vinci Surgical System (USA): The Da Vinci system is a widely used robotic
surgical platform for minimally invasive procedures. It allows surgeons to perform complex
surgeries with precision, reducing recovery times for patients.
- Kazakhstan – Da Vinci System in National Scientific Center of Surgery: Kazakhstan has
adopted the Da Vinci Surgical System in leading hospitals such as the National Scientific Center
of Surgery, where it’s used for urological and general surgeries, helping surgeons perform
intricate operations with greater control.
4. Future of ICT in medicine
The outlook for ICT in medicine is bright, driven by several key trends:

1. Expansion of Telemedicine: The adoption of telemedicine services will continue to grow,

providing patients with convenient access to healthcare services from home. It increases
accessibility by allowing patients, especially in remote areas, to receive care without having to
travel. This convenience allows people to consult with healthcare providers from home, reducing
wait times and increasing satisfaction.

2. Growth of mHealth: Broadly speaking, m-Health is the use of mobile technology for
healthcare services and healthcare information. The global mHealth market is expected to grow
significantly in the coming years as more patients seek care via their mobile devices. This will
drive the development of new mHealth technologies and applications. This means that in the
future, there will be more applications and technologies that help patients manage their health via
mobile devices.

3. AI will play a crucial role in diagnostics. namely, analyzing data and creating personalized
treatment plans, which will increase accuracy and efficiency, improving clinical decision
making.

4. Blockchain: Will be used to protect medical data, ensuring its security and accessibility. This
allows for greater accuracy in medical research. Blockchain can ensure that data is always
available in real time. Researchers will be able to quickly detect changes in environmental
conditions that affect the health of the population.

5. Mobile apps or the development of new mobile apps for health monitoring. This will allow
patients to monitor their condition and manage their treatment using smartphones.

6. Focus on cyber security. As digital health records become more widespread, ensuring data
security and patient privacy will become increasingly important. as there may be external threats
such as ransomware or hackers trying to steal sensitive personal information.
These trends point to a transformative shift in healthcare, making it more efficient, accessible,
and patient-centric.
Task 2: Presentation of the ICT in medicine
1. System Integration of ICT
 The proposed system: ICT-Enabled Healthcare System, will integrate ICT to optimize
medical services and patient care. It includes:
 Electronic Health Record (EHR) System: A centralized platform for storing and
managing patient records, medical history, prescriptions, and test results, allowing
seamless data access for healthcare professionals.
 Health Information System (HIS): Facilitates the management of healthcare data and
hospital operations, including patient admissions, appointments, and billing.
 Telemedicine Platform: Enables remote consultations, diagnosis, and treatment,
connecting patients with healthcare professionals regardless of location.
 Medical Analytics System: Provides real-time insights into patient health, tracking key
metrics such as diagnostic trends, treatment outcomes, and resource utilization to
optimize care delivery.
 Internet of Things (IoT): Incorporates devices like wearable health monitors and smart
medical equipment to continuously track patient vitals, offering real-time data for both
patients and healthcare providers.
2. System Architecture
The proposed ICT-Enabled Healthcare System will incorporate a multilayered architecture to
support an advanced digital interface for healthcare providers and a convenient platform for
patient engagement. The system architecture consists of the following layers:
 Data Management Manages patient data storages,retrieval,and
Layer security.

Facilitates functionalities like telemedicine, EHR

Application Layer access, and analytics.

Ensures seamless communication between IoT

Integration Layer devices, HIS, and external databases.

User Interface Provides an intuitive, user-friendly experience for

both healthcare providers and patients, ensuring
Layer easy access to medical information and services.

3. Design Artifacts
Wireframe – Virtual Health Clinic

Navigation Panel:
This section includes various medical services such as appointment scheduling, prescription
requests, medical records, and patient profiles. Patients can easily navigate through these options
to access their medical history, request prescriptions, or manage future appointments.

Main Dashboard:
Displays personalized healthcare recommendations based on the patient's medical history and
recent interactions with healthcare professionals. The dashboard also shows upcoming
appointments and a summary of the patient's recent medical activities, such as prescriptions
filled or tests completed.

Health Alerts and Notifications:

Displays dynamic alerts such as medication reminders, health tips, and vaccination schedules.
These notifications are personalized based on the patient's medical conditions, age, and past
healthcare interactions, ensuring timely updates and reminders for critical health actions.

Medical Services Section:

Highlights special healthcare services, telemedicine options, and preventive health check-up
packages tailored to the patient's needs. This section informs patients about relevant medical
services, such as virtual consultations, seasonal vaccination campaigns, or specialized
treatments, based on their health profiles.

Chat with Medical Assistance:

Allows patients to connect with healthcare professionals or customer support for medical
queries, appointment scheduling, or any healthcare-related issues. AI-powered chat assistants
offer readymade responses for general inquiries, while more complex cases are redirected to
professional healthcare providers for in-depth consultation and assistance.

Flowchart - Patient Interaction Process

1. Initial Contact
→ Patient presents a health issue or medical concern.
→ The system records the patient's symptoms and medical history, leading to an initial medical
assessment.

2. Needs Assessment
→ Healthcare professionals evaluate the patient's condition based on the provided data.
→ The system recommends potential treatment plans or further investigations (e.g., diagnostic
tests).

3. Healthcare Investigation
→ The patient undergoes recommended diagnostic procedures.
→ The system stores the results and updates the patient's health profile with real-time data for
healthcare providers.
4. Healthcare Planning
→ After the investigation, the system helps healthcare professionals create a detailed treatment
plan based on the patient's condition and test results.
→ The plan is shared with the patient for approval and further steps.

5. Healthcare Treatment
→ The patient follows the recommended treatment (medication, surgery, therapy, etc.).
→ The system tracks the patient's progress and offers regular updates to healthcare providers.

6. Healthcare Outcome Evaluation

→ The system evaluates the patient's response to treatment by comparing the initial health state
with the current condition.
→ If the patient has recovered, the system records the outcome and closes the case.
→ If further treatment is necessary, the cycle repeats, with adjustments made to the treatment
plan.

7. Feedback and Future Care

→ The system collects feedback on the treatment process and patient satisfaction.
→ It stores the data for future analysis, helping to improve healthcare services and optimize
medical care for other patients.
4. Presentation Preparation
The presentation will explain how ICT has been incorporated into the medical field, along with a
description of its structure, the interaction process between patients and healthcare providers, and
an explanation of the system's potential functions. To demonstrate how the various layers of the
medical system connect and operate, different forms of visuals will be used, including system
architecture diagrams, patient flowcharts, and wireframes depicting the interaction between
patients and healthcare professionals. The presentation will also highlight innovations and
examples of ICT in healthcare, as well as discuss its future role, benefits, and drawbacks in the
medical industry.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the assignment proposes that ICT in Medicine is a strategy that successfully
integrates technology into healthcare services and medical management processes. The system
enhances patient satisfaction by providing personalized care, real-time updates, and remote
healthcare solutions, making the treatment experience more efficient and accessible. With the
implementation of effective data management systems (DMS), patient records, medical history,
and feedback are securely stored and processed, facilitating continuous improvement in
healthcare delivery and overall medical outcomes.