PEMAT WEBSITE COMPARISON PAPER
NURS 417 – Nursing Informatics
(Please see paper linked below)
Purpose of Assignment:
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The purpose of this assignment is to evaluate two the healthcare-related websites using the AHRQ PEMAT rubric. This assignment is used to determine the accuracy and dependability of sites people use daily. This assignment strengthens information technology skills as well.
Student Approach to Assignment:
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I began this assignment by selecting a relevant healthcare topic, gallbladder attack symptoms. This is a common topic when working healthcare. It is valuable to see what patients are reading about online via these websites. For example, are the symptoms online truthful and reliable indicators of a gallbladder attack? Through this assignment, I gained valuable knowledge on the importance of checking website authenticity and validity. As a nurse, I never want to spread untruthful information to patients and families.
Reason for Inclusion of this Assignment in the Portfolio:
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This assignment is included to highlight informatics computer skills as well as stress the importance in retrieving information from a trustful site. It is crucial to note that not all sites with healthcare information are valid and dependable. It is my responsibility as a nurse and student to direct patients, families and friends to dependable, trustworthy websites, especially when pertaining to healthcare data.
Communication
o Demonstrates skills in using technology, informatics, and communication devices that support safe nursing practice
With this assignment, I became skillful in using informatics technology by evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of two healthcare-related websites. The information gathered from both sites was evaluate suing the PEMAT tool; this tool allowed me to evaluate the content, word choice/style, use of numbers, organization, layout, visual aids and accountability of each webpage. This evaluation was used to support safe nursing practices by becoming more knowledgeable about the dependability of different webpages. This increase in knowledge helps me to guide patients to a safe, trustworthy site by using the key characteristic of the PEMAT evaluation tool. Ensuring patients are informed of accurate information supports safe nursing practice.
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Accesses and utilizes data and information from a wide range of sources to enhance patient and professional communication
Through this assignment, I had the opportunity to utilize data from two websites, determine the “Understandability Score” and use this information to communicate whether or not this is a dependable site. Deciphering whether or not a webpage is trustworthy will help enhance patient and professional communication. Today, I apply the characteristics of the PEMAT evaluation tool to determine if patients should refer to a particular site or not. A patient equipped with accurate information from online sources enhances communication with healthcare professionals.
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Uses information technologies to communicate health promotion, risk reduction, and disease prevention
For this assignment, I utilized the PEMAT evaluation tool on two webpages. This evaluation helped to determine the authenticity of the sites. Online information is readily available and it is important to direct patients to appropriate websites so they are knowledgeable about health promotion, risk reduction and disease prevention strategies. In my current nursing practice, I use information technologies to communicate with my patients. For example, when discharging a patient, I print off links to dependable websites so s/he can monitor their health status.
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Uses informatics to enhance one’s own knowledge base to support teaching
This assignment was structured around research and application of informatics technology. I conducted research on two websites. This research helped me to understand the principles of a trustworthy website by using the PEMAT too. I am familiar with dependable websites that offer accurate healthcare information and this enhances my teaching. For instance, I do not simply “Google” discharge information, I use trustworthy sites for disbursement of educational documents.
Research
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Differentiates between descriptive nursing literature and published reports of nursing research
With this assignment, I had the opportunity to distinguish nursing literature and nursing research. By evaluating the dependability of two websites, I was able to distinguish whether the webpage was based on research or less-authentic forms. Overall, the website that scored higher using the PEMAT tool was NIH: NIDDK. This website included visual aids and different headings to encourage further examination of info. Similarly, this site scored higher on the actionability section because there were several actions instructed towards the user in a clear manner. Dependable websites have resources and credentials listed throughout, making them more reliable. Whereas nursing literature is not supported by evidence and research. This was discovered during the evaluation of the two websites.
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