| Chapter
13 The future Overview A recent report in the Guardian newspaper (16th November 2000) painted a picture of the future where we would all be wearing wireless Internet-aware devices that monitored our health and alerted us if something was amiss. Though this may sound like the stuff of science fiction there are already products on the market that offer this type of service. Asthma sufferers, for example, can already purchase equipment to monitor their breathing. What makes this device unique is the fact that the recorded data can be uploaded (via the Internet) to the manufacturers Web site where it is then converted into a series of graphs and tables that can help user's spot the 'triggers' that might be causing their disease. With the user's permission this data can also be forwarded to the appropriate health care team. [Details of this service are available at: http://www.lifechart.com/webpage_templates/tertiary.php3?page_name=asth_monitor. In addition to disease-specific applications it is increasingly likely that the Internet will be used as a means of delivering remote consultations. As broadband Internet connectivity becomes the norm the ability to hold a remote interactive teleconference with any doctor will become more feasible. The Internet will also play a growing role in training tomorrow's doctors and in providing these professionals with better administrative services (electronic patient records, online hospital appointment systems etc.) and access to computerised decision support systems. This chapter provides a brief overview of these developments and considers what future role the Internet will play in the delivery of health care. Key topics covered in this chapter Useful URL's discussed in this chapter |
| Web site | Description | Address |
AFIP |
US Armed Forces Institute of Pathology use the telemedicine to help health professionals throughout the world. |
http://www.afip.org/consult/index.html |
Oxford Maternal Infant Care |
This service enables health professionals to monitor remotely the health status of pregnant women (and their unborn children). |
http://www.medicine.ox.ac.uk/ndog/tmr/eMum.htm |
Virtual Medical Conferences Centre |
Virtual medical conferences |
http://www.vmcc.com/about.html |
NHS Plan |
NHS plan for modernisation |
http://www.nhsplan.nhs.uk |