Demonstrate the ability to critically review a prepared position statement, analysing its content from both a theoretical and clinical perspective.
Using the following framework will help in providing a structured critique of the position statement
Framework (guide only)
1. Is the position statement structured? Does it have an introduction and a conclusion
that clearly states the position?
2. Does the position statement relate to the topic?
3. Does the position statement demonstrate adequately the links to the National Competency Standards
for Registered Nurse?
4. Are the references used to support the position statement current and credible (i.e. evidence), why
or why not?
5. Do you think the author eliminated any important information (i.e. evidence) in
stating their position? If so, please refer to these evidence sources in your critique.
6. Remember when giving feedback it must be constructive regardless of whether it is
positive or negative feedback.
Remember that the critique will be assessed against the criterion referenced rubric:
Interpretation: Extensively critiques the content and Insightfully analyses the position taken.
Identifies inconsistences (if any) in the position statement
Analysis & Evaluation: Thoroughly analyses assumptions in relation to NMBA competencies for clinical
practice, discriminates rationally using reasonable judgment, provides extensive information in support
of position or offers alternative view
Evidence: Provides extensive evidence in support of the position statement or provides clarifying
evidence if required in support of alternative views. All evidence is from credible sources
Referencing: Accurate use of APA referencing style in all instances. A range of in-text citations has
been used
Position Statement: “Advances in Health informatics and telemedicine are providing greater access to
healthcare resources”.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW] (2013) stated that residents in rural areas have
shorter lives and higher levels of illness and disease risk factors than those in major cities. Some
areas in Australia are disadvantaged in accessing goods and services, educational and employment
opportunities and have lower incomes (AIHW, 2013). The number of medical practitioners in remote/rural
regions is less than the number of employed medical practitioners in the major cities. In rural areas,
there is around 148 fulltime equivalent medical practitioners per 100,000 in population compared to 335
full time equivalent medical practitioners per 100,000 in population in major cities (AIHW, 2008). The
major cities have a better ratio of medical practitioner available to them than fellow rural residents.
The New South Wales rural doctors network [RDN] (2012) outlined that the Australian government was
introducing an approach in improving health services to rural area which involved a trial of advances
in health informatics and telemedicine funded by The Australian Department of Health and Ageing from
1rst July 2010 to 30th June 2011. It can be argued that advances in Health informatics and telemedicine
are providing greater access to healthcare resources. This will be shown by defining Health informatics
and telemedicine, the benefit for the stakeholders particularly those who live in rural areas, as well
as looking at the possible disadvantages.
Health Informatics also can be defined as multi-disciplinary teams that manage the information
including collection, storage, retrieval, communication and optimal use of health related data (Graham,
as cited in Hovenga, Kidd, Garde & Cossio, 2010). Further more, health informatics involves Information
Technology 2 [IT] in problem solving and decision-making assuring the highest quality health care in
all basic and applied areas of biomedical sciences (Graham, as cited in Hovenga, Kidd, Garde & Cossio,
2010). The Australasian College of Health Informatics [ACHI] (2014), an Australasian health informatics
professional body, defines it as the use of health information tools and techniques, not only computer
skills, but to support clinical care, health service administration, education and research. It can be
said that health informatics process allows information to be collected and entered to the system and
stored in a place where it is accessible to the users. The information management in health informatics
allows the users to have access to download or retrieve the information from the system (Department of
Health, 2012).
An electronic record of the patients’ information is kept allowing nurses and other health care team
members to follow the care of the patients regardless where they are (Olesen, 2012). Sustainable health
information helps the patients get continuity and best possible quality of care (Olesen, 2012). The
electronic record allows other health care team members to access current records and promotes
collaborative support for therapeutic intervention. This activity NMBA (2013) domain 3, provision and
coordination of care, of national competency standards for the registered nurse point 6.4 states
“collaborative supports the therapeutic interventions of other health team members”. The use of
advanced health informatics supports the collaborative therapeutic interventions.
However, According to the Australian Law Reform commission (n.d.), there is privacy regulation in
handling health information in Australia, the Privacy Act 1988. The Australian College of Rural and
Remote Medicine (2012) outlined that written or verbal consent must be obtained prior to use of the
telehealth system for patients. It can be an issue when outsiders have access to the health informatics
system without 3 authorization or hackers can breach privacy laws. As health information is entered
into the system, the users, such as nurses, medical practitioners, allied health and other professional
members with access authority are able to use the data to support clinical care. Therefore, the design
of the health informatics model has to consider and maintain the patients’ privacy. The nurses using
health informatics should maintain patient’s privacy and confidentiality as mentioned in the Nursing
and Midwifery Board Australia [NMBA] competency standard in collaborative and therapeutic care point
10.2, which is maintaining confidentiality in discussion about an individual/group’s need and progress
and point 10.4 “ demonstrate awareness of changes to policy and guidelines“ (NMBA, 2013). Maintaining
patients’ privacy is part of the legal obliga
