Recap of Medical Megatrends Part II

As a result of engineering and computer science advances we can expect to see major improvements in imaging - both anatomic and now also molecular or functional imaging; smaller and more powerful medical devices; big changes in the operating room including simulation and robots; and a functional electronic medical record. Look for acceptance of complementary medical techniques such as acupuncture, massage and meditation. And expect hospitals to become more safe for you and your loved ones.

Recap of Medical Megatrends Part I

We review here the five basic medical megatrends that will occur in the coming five to fifteen years including the concept of customed-tailored medicine, the change from "diagnose and treat" to "predict and prevent;" repairing, restoring or replacing tissues or organs; the advent of truly electronic medical records and fewer preventable medical errors. Look for major advances in genomics, stem cells, vaccines and transplantation as a result of much greater understanding of basic biomedical science.

Your Medical Information

Your medical record is indeed your medical record even though it may be currently stored in your doctor’s office or the hospital’s record room. You need to have ready access to that information and need to be able to pass it on to any healthcare provider you choose, securely.

The Electronic Medical Record - Part Two

"The electronic medical record will arrive over the next decade, but inparts and pieces. It will become your medical record, not the doctor's or hospital's. Your record may be on a a chip in your pocket or instantly available from the internet."

Electronic Medical Records

Full digitization of medical information – which will still take 5 to ten years or more to achieve - will allow access to medical information at any time, at any place, and in so doing will greatly improve the quality and safety of medical care—your medical care. Digitization will assist continuity of care by providing the right information at the right time to allow for the correct choices in care. Telemedicine and distance medicine will prevail.

Robotics

Robotics will become as important in surgery as industrial robots have become to manufacturing. They can overcome certain obstacles or barriers, such as accessibility to certain tissues (small incisions), distance (telesurgery), dexterity (the six degrees of freedom or a wristlike motion), speed and they do not get tired. They offer the potential to transcend certain human limitations to increase consistency and quality.

Imaging and Simulation in the OR

Tomorrow's operating rooms will be highly dependent upon breathtakingly superb images that will allow the surgeon to know - in advance - what to expect during a specific individual's surgery. And simulators will be universally used by trainees before ever being allowed into the OR. The measure will be competence, not just numbers of cases done. Better surgery and better training.