Health integrated technology systems, also known as health IT or healthcare information technology, refer to the use of technology to manage healthcare data, improve healthcare delivery, and provide better patient outcomes. The history of health IT dates back to the 1960s when hospitals began to use electronic data processing for administrative tasks such as billing and patient scheduling.
In the 1970s, the first clinical information systems were developed, which were used to record patient information and manage laboratory test results. During the 1980s, the focus of health IT shifted towards the development of electronic medical records (EMRs) and computerized physician order entry (CPOE) systems.
In the 1990s, the Internet became widely available, leading to the development of web-based health information systems and telemedicine technology. The 2000s saw the rise of electronic health records (EHRs), which allowed for the integration of clinical data from multiple sources and the sharing of patient information between healthcare providers.
Today, health IT systems are ubiquitous, and a wide range of technologies are available to support healthcare delivery, including mobile health (mHealth) apps, remote patient monitoring systems, and artificial intelligence (AI)-based diagnostic tools. Health IT has the potential to transform healthcare delivery by improving patient outcomes, reducing costs, and increasing efficiency.