Reference no: EM133499316 , Length: word count:1500

Critical review

Background: Organisations of all types have the potential to collect and use increasing amounts of rich data, information and knowledge related to various aspects of the organisation. The same is true for different practices found in the Health industry, such as GP practices, allied health practices, Dentistry practices, Veterinarian practices, medical specialist practices, etc. These practices are often managed by specially appointed practice (business) managers, but they can also be managed by medical practitioners. These professionals have usually not been trained to manage a business and usually have limited knowledge about information management and governance. The practices deal with lots of data, information and knowledge (information assets) that can and should be used by executives to i) improve patient wellbeing and ii) create business benefit. The types of data, information and knowledge relate to patient medical records, information about ailments, treatments and procedure, as well as internal business information (e.g. financial, marketing, human resource) that are required to manage the practice. Many practices use Practice Management Software to support the practice manager or medical professional.

For the following types of practice.
Chiropractor practice - Australia

What you should do:

Write a review of literature and good quality industry material (not blogs and personal opinion pieces) about the data, information and knowledge related to the medical practice assigned to you and how these assets are, and should be, managed. You also have to include a comprehensive analysis of the different practice management software packages available for your allocated practice type. Please compare the software packages and identify strengths and weaknesses of each. If you find lots of information about different practice management software packages, you can summarise the information in the assignment (e.g. which software is most popular and why) and include the additional information in an appendix. The appendices do not count towards the word count, so this is a good way of sharing information without exceeding the word count.

In a critical analysis you are expected to describe the practice type, the structures existing in the sector (e.g. different practices working as a ‘cluster' under one banner), the associations/societies overseeing the sector and other interesting information you identify. You have to debate and analyse their use of different types of data, information, and knowledge, which practice management software packages they use, compare and contrast these, etc. I.e. you should not merely report what the publications say, but you have to interpret and synthesise the information.

At the end of your paper, your critique should provide concrete suggestions about what organisations should do to improve their i) electronic health record management and ii) practice management. (Imagine you have to briefly advise a doctor/dentist/vet what (s)he will have to know to manage their own practice. Summarise your advice in a few points.)

Question 1. You should support your arguments by providing examples and evidence of the impact and implications of having good quality data, information and knowledge for decision-making. You should also provide advice about the best practice management software for the type of practices. Always justify your answer.

Question 2. The report will look like a literature review in a journal paper. Logically structure your review and add relevant headings to do so. You do not have to add a table of contents, an executive overview or a conclusion.

Question 3. You must use APA referencing style and avoid plagiarism by including proper in-text citations in and paraphrasing. You must include the reference list at the end. The reference list also does not count towards the word count.

Question 4. You must not exceed the 1500 words, excluding the cover page and the references.