Information is a core component of healthcare delivery.

Looking at the volume of information

shared among professionals in the healthcare sector and the possible complications that may
arise as a result of miscommunication, it is critical to have robust and efficient communication
systems. It has been established that miscommunication can have negative impacts on delivery.
The utilization of communication systems in healthcare and social care is vital to improving
public health and quality (Machado,2012). According to (Lundberga,2015), when healthcare
workers share information effectively it can eventually lead to improved treatment. This can be
achieved when modern tools such as cellphones or tablets, emails and social media are employed
in the process of sharing information.
A number of research have highlighted the important role communication plays in promoting
partnership. (Molleda et al 2008) places emphasis on building multi-sector partnerships through
clear, inclusive and continuous dialogue. (Persson, 2013) highlights the relevance of good
communication in all relationships including partnerships. Building of partnerships and
teamwork can be impeded by certain obstacles such as ineffective leadership, communication
gaps, lack of trust and issues of accountability. It is therefore necessary to establish
communication channels and utilize technological tools to enhance communication between
professionals. This can be done by involving communication experts in the health process. This
will create an avenue for improving communication systems in healthcare.
In healthcare, partnership is formed between different professionals and organizations putting
their collective resources together in order to reach a common goal. For these partnerships to
work, there has to be maximum levels of trust and transparency between collaborators. This can
be achieved when communication is effective. Examples of these communication systems are
emails, meeting records, care plans or packages, and shared databases. In all this, there has to be
guidelines on how information is shred to avoid breaching the confidentiality of patients.
Working in a partnership typically requires the use of various communication channels. In order
to handle any problems between systems and preserve confidentiality, some form of standards
must be applied. For instance, a case manager may share a client’s information with other
professionals on an unsecured platform and this may be intercepted by others. When that
happens, the client’s confidentiality would have been be breached. This can be prevented by
analyzing communication systems for actual or potential threats and develop suitable solutions to
mitigate those risks. In the example given above, a secured network channel can be developed
and used for effective communication.
In addition, there has to be considerable investments by organizations in harmonized platforms
as they work towards enhancing communication systems. There is huge potential for information
sharing with a harmonized platform because they allow for existing systems to be incorporated
easily with new ones. This incorporation will allow for information to be shared easily.
Digital systems of communication offer a more efficient medium for sharing information.
Professionals have different working time and responsibilities and as such, face to face
interaction is unlikely to meet organizational demands for building partnerships.
In as much as sharing information among professional helps to improve patient outcome, it is
important to find a balance between maintaining confidentiality of patients and sharing of
information. This is a multifaceted issue influenced by legal and ethical considerations. (Beech,
2007) asserts that nurses should appressed with their professional code of conduct as well as
what they are legally permitted to do when offering care and assistance. As a result of an
increasingly worldwide data environment, health professionals are confronted with the problem
of protecting patients’ right of confidentiality (ArroyoCordero, 2009).
Notwithstanding, Healthcare workers are mandated to keep client’s information secure and
confidential. Clients’ confidentiality is guaranteed by the Data Protection Act 2018, the Human
Rights Act 1998. When sharing patients’ information without their consent, it is pertinent to
consider the ethical ramifications. Sharing of a client’s information must be done with the
interest of the patient in mind as well as the possible benefits society will gain from doing so. A
practitioner may divulge confidential information under conditions set in the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 and the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1999. (Agyapong, Kirrane and
Bangaru, 2009) discuses the issues that confronts physicians when evaluating the public interest
in exposing sensitive information, highlighting the need of understanding the ethical and legal
background. Ethical dilemmas can be addressed when there laid out standards for practice which
will serve as a reference guide for professionals when they encounter challenging situations.
Also, by providing learning environment in the form of CPD, professionals can share
experiences and learn from knowledgeable colleagues in the organization.
Sharing of information between organizations should be characterized by some important
elements. Some of these elements include sharing information only when it is necessary and
documenting the reason for which a particular client’s information is being shared. Again,
consent of client must be sought in possible scenarios and staff must know their role in keeping
clients’ information confidential.
Information about care packages, client records as well as staff records form part of information
management system of an organization. Technology has made it simple for organizations to
transition from paper-based systems to digital information systems. This has significantly
improved data management and sharing information. The digital spaces present its own
vulnerabilities in the form unauthorized access by a third party. It is therefore necessary to
maintain digital information in a secure way which is devoid of vulnerabilities.
One of the ways of ensuring integrity in information management system is by conducting
routine audits and checks. This will enable managers to detect vulnerabilities in the system and
address or resolve those issue quickly.
Furthermore, regulation of access to patient information must me implemented. It is essential
that information shared or accessed by a particular professional is monitored or regulated. The
system has to be structured in a way that information is shared on need-to-know basis. Also,
compartmentalization of information will ensure a practitioner does not access information of a
client they are not directly involved with. This can promote system integrity and secure client
confidentiality.
Essentiality, good communication systems is important in health and social care. It enhances
disseminating information among professionals and organizations. Miscommunication can lead
to negative impacts on performance emphasizing the need for robust communication channels.
Technological tools such as emails, cellphones and social media can be used to improve sharing
information.
Digital communication systems are efficient when you consider professionals varied schedules
and responsibilities. However there has to be safeguard measures to ensure clients data is
protected. When sharing information there has to be considerations including sharing
information only when necessary, documenting reasons for sharing, and obtaining clients
consent.