Barbara Hayes, M.S.W., M.S., associate dean for administration and planning at the IU School of Informatics and Computing at IUPUI, has released a new book that offers a uniquely patient-centered perspective on health informatics and its potential to improve the lives of those living with type 2 diabetes and other chronic illnesses. Hayes co-edited the book, published by MIT Press, with William Aspray, Ph.D., from the School of Information at University of Texas at Austin.
The book, titled “Health Informatics: A Patient-Centered Approach to Diabetes,” examines the changing information problems patients with diabetes encounter as they cope with progressive stages of the disease. Patients, healthcare providers, and computer and information scientists are all interested in using digital tools to ease the burden of chronic illness. The book addresses the unique challenges of utilizing information technology in the complicated healthcare milieu. It offers chapters on specific topics including ubiquitous computing, educational gaming, digital “coaches” that help with diet and exercise, electronic medical records, patient access to healthcare information and challenges in health IT research collaborations.
Hayes and Aspray focus on diabetes as a model for research and analysis because of the disease’s significant impact on U.S. healthcare systems. Diabetes is the country’s most prevalent chronic illness, diagnosed in over 20 million American adults; an estimated 57 million have pre-diabetes.
“Health Informatics: A Patient-Centered Approach to Diabetes” is available for purchase through a number or retail outlets, including Amazon.com and MIT Press.
Media Contact
Joanne Lovrinic
jebehele@iu.edu
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