>>> Agreed, the medical industry is just starting to get the idea of what IT can really do for them.
Pretty ironic, considering they were pioneers in this field. Many of the first big computer systems were sold to hospitals for just this purpose.
My first real computer job, in 1967, was on a team developing key code for multiterminal, multiuser operation in OS/DOS 360. We worked at USC/LA County medical center, and beside writing some OS code for IBM the real point was a medical records system. At that point medical records was so leading edge we were driving and even creating the OS features.
Where the direction got lost was twofold:
1. Image records (and other binaries,) for EKGs, xrays, and so on. This has only recently (last 10 years) become practical even for large centers.
2. Subsequently, image records for small practices. Inprise and IFMX could both help here, IFMX because of datablades and Objects, INPR because of tools.
The problem is still standards for formats more than anything. The government should intervene in this, if they haven't already. But the web should make this far far easier than in the past. The web connection is happening already. Imagine not only a drug entry, but links to indications, research, dosage info, doctor's email address, diagnostic expert system perusals of charts...
Cheers,
Chaz |
