The Computer Revolution/Effect on society/Visions

Vision for the Future

With the combination of technology and health care there are many possible doors to be opened and boundaries to be crossed. With the availability of information at our fingertips through the internet there are numerous possibilities to explore. Doctors and nurses are able to research any question or problem in a matter of seconds on the internet. Also organization of files and healthcare documents can all easily be stored on main frame computers, witch can be accessed by doctors around the hospital. Also the availability of computers and technology to the health care system can easily increase the productivity levels of health care staff and help introduce new aspects that can be put into use.

When you think of technology and health care, you can only imagine the possible outcomes. Many new and innovative projects have come from Technology inter mingling with health care. Especially the amount of research capability that has increased. With the use of technology more and more viruses are broken down and cures are found. This is also the case for treatment in medicine, with technology progressing so is medicine.

The much vaunted information superhighway is expected to improve the quality of life for all Americans. This vision—the National Information Infrastructure—consists of both existing systems and technologies and others still to emerge, all linked nationwide. Every part of the economy, including health care, will be affected.

For example:

Technology has developed an entirely paperless medical record system at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston that links computerized patient records with different departments, physician offices, and 20 clinics. Developing a practical common medical terminology that will be the basis for computerized patient records, clinical decision support, health services research, data-driven guideline development, and electronic interchange of patient information. The Mayo and the Kaiser Foundations are collaborating on the project, which is cofunded by AHCPR and the National Library of Medicine.