Conclusion and Future Directions Chapter 11 Conclusion and Future Directions

Clinical and Special Purpose Applications: Future Trends Radiology Expansion of interventional radiology, radiosurgery, focused ultrasound Surgery Expansion of telepresence surgery Dentistry Expanded use of new diagnostic techniques

Clinical and Special Purpose Applications: Future Trends Pharmacy Expanded understanding of genetic bases of disease and development of treatments Possibility of body growing replacement parts Adaptive Technology Expansion of brain-computer interfaces without surgery

Clinical and Special Purpose Applications: Future Trends New devices in development Pacemakers that communicate over the Internet VeriChip implanted and linked to database of medical information Toothbrush that checks for bacteria and blood sugar and sends information to your EMR Smart glasses Smart bandage Voice-controlled wheelchair that finds its way through a crowd Brain prosthetic (memory)

Clinical and Special Purpose Applications: Future Trends Telemedicine—further expansion Telepharmacy (U.S. government). Telesurgery (Canadian government). Education Simulated patients become more and more realistic. Use of the Internet and distance learning.

Administrative Applications: The Integrated Electronic Medical Record Expanded use of the EMR in larger institutions, but not in small practices HIPAA encourages use of EMR Currently beginning to include computer-generated reminders Helps ensure continuity of care Problems: privacy, cost, reliability

Demographic Changes and Occupational Outlooks for Health Care Professionals Improving occupational outlook In hospitals Home health care Assisted-living facilities Nursing homes

Social Implications Organization of Health Care delivery is a social issue. Decreases in health insurance Increase in HMOs—decisions made on business grounds The newest technological developments in health care may not be available to most people. Telemedicine may make health care available to more and more people.