Question

Is it the responsibility of the health information technology organization to develop products and services that can be used in an unanticipated manner or is it the responsibility of the user to use these products and services only in a way that is approved by the health information technology organizations and applicable laws and regulations? What if the health information technology organizations and applicable laws are not keeping pace with the needs of the product and service users?

Answer 1

It is the responsibility of both the health IT organization to develop products and services and provide reasonable information for the users so that it is used in a manner to produce the intended results. The user is also responsible for using the products and service in a manner for which it was created. The overall outcome should come within the limits of the laws and regulations ascertained for the product or services.

If the health information technology organizations and applicable laws are not keeping pace with the needs of the product and service users, they may be used in manners suitable by the user or the producer but may not be beneficial to many or certain specific users may suffer till the amends are made.. As such it may harm the society, environment or surroundings. For example: In certain countries Doctors recommend small amount of marijuana to people who go to offices or factories, due to certain diseases that they suffer from. But if the laws in those place haven't kept pace with the changing needs of the people, either the people will suffer such as the patient in this case, or people may use these products to their own benefit and exploit the medical need of the product.