1. Conclusion and Future Directions
Chapter 11
Conclusion and Future Directions

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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.

6. 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

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

8. 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.