Final answer:
The primary benefit of informatics for healthcare includes improved coordination of care and cost efficiency through the sharing of digital records and the adoption of models like telemedicine and artificial intelligence. Insurance companies can leverage their large client base for better rates, making healthcare more affordable.
Step-by-step explanation:
A primary benefit of informatics for healthcare as identified by a nursing informatics specialist includes the improvement in the quality and cost-effectiveness of healthcare services. One key aspect is the sharing of digital records among health providers, which fosters better coordination of care and reduces redundant procedures. This, coupled with the mass production and efficiency model adopted by the U.S. healthcare system, aims to address the surging demand due partly to an aging and less healthy population. Efficiency has further been enhanced through telemedicine, the integration of artificial intelligence, and the proliferation of new types of healthcare professionals.
Additionally, insurance companies, by their large client base, can negotiate for lower rates with healthcare providers than individuals could on their own. This results in increased benefits for consumers and cost savings for the insurers, which is reflected in the lower cost of healthcare overall. In the broader context, initiatives such as insurance mandates are also geared towards increasing access to health insurance, thereby contributing to a more insured population and a reduction in overall healthcare costs.