technology trends affecting healthcare

Filed under: nnxj.com — smith @ March 12, 2010 edit
  • What are the technology trends affecting healthcare in the next 3 years. Specifically, what are the key issues driving technology applications in hospitals and integrated delivery networks in the world.


  • Thanks for being so patient. The link you provided is still under construction so I will try to find the info you provided through other sources. Here are some sources of E-prescription and genomics. E-Prescription (I it will be included in the system of HIPAA technology as well) “The system's ability to offer physicians easily accessible information from HMSA's drug formulary on potential less costly generic substitutions could amount to substantial savings for health insurers and patients, says Nickel,. “The device allows physicians to enter relevant information about their patients into a database cutting down the likelihood of errors.” “E-prescription technology passing tests” http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2000/12/25/story8.html Genomics “How does genomics differ from genetics?” “Genetics looks at single genes, one at a time, as a snapshot. Genomics is trying to look at all the genes as a dynamic system, over time, to determine how they interact and influence biological pathways, networks and physiology, in a much more global sense. A dynamic process, 2D vs. 3D and 4D.” “Basic genetics & genomics” http://www.genomicglossaries.com/content/printpage.asp?REF=/content/Basic_Genetic_Glossaries.asp “Genomics allows greater efficiency in identifying therapeutic targets by determining which genes are responsible for the creation or enabling of disease processes, how these genes control these processes and what might be done to stop them. Products provided by genomics firms include not only databases but specialized software to search the databases. “ “Genomics Technology” http://www.techsectortrends.com/document_48.html In my further hunt for other technologies that would be prevalent in the span of time you have indicated, I was able to come up with the following: DNA Vaccines “While traditional vaccines use live virus or killed organisms that stimulate humans and animals to develop an immune response against a specific disease, these agile vaccines will use fragments of organisms' DNA.” “Researchers Fight Bioterrorism With Next Generation Vaccine Technology” http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=835 “DNA vaccines offer a new way to immunize humans (or animals) with materials that are entirely gene-based, expressed by the recipient’s own cells. This means that there is greater control over the immunization process, because the investigator determines which antigens and co-stimulants to use, where to elicit the response (e.g., skin or muscle), which cytokines (if any) to be co-expressed, and whether to use immunostimulatory DNA sequences to modulate the type of response (Th1 or Th2).” “DNA Vaccines” http://www.natx.com/DNAVACS.html A technology, which has taken great, strides this year but not yet perfect, is the AIDS Vaccine. It has raised hopes of a more effective vaccine in the years to come. AIDS Vaccine “AIDSVAX is formulated to protect against the "B" strain of the virus commonly seen in Europe and the United States. It is not expected to be very effective against strains circulating in Africa, the continent hardest hit by HIV.” “AIDSVAX uses two proteins, based on the gp-120 protein found on the outside "envelope" of the virus. The hope was the body's immune system could become sensitized to anything carrying gp-120 and mount a response to the virus.” “First AIDS Vaccine May Protect Minorities-Vaxgen” http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/reuters20030224_105.html Another trend that is in conjuncture with e-prescription is the ability to diagnose online and for pharmacies to sell prescription drugs online. “YourDiagnosis.com is an innovative online medical diagnosis system with the added benefit of producing a comprehensive personal health summary report which becomes the basis of your Personal Health Record.” “Medical Diagnosis and Personal Health Record available online from YourDiagnosis.com” http://www.prweb.com/releases/2002/9/prweb46913.php YourDiagnosis.com http://www.yourdiagnosis.com/yourdiagnosis/start.htm Online Pharmacies “Currently, two types of legitimate online pharmacies exist, those that require a existing prescription transfer before ordering online and those that provide online medical consultations with licensed physicians to issue prescriptions for a limited set of FDA approved medications. Pharmacies that offer online medical consultations are the most abundant online.” “Any site that sells prescription medications should require a prescription to do so and should not complete the sale without the proper authorization. Some online pharmacies require a prescription transfer and may accept a faxed prescription directly from you or the prescribing doctor.” “Best Pharmacy's Online Pharmacy Guide – FAQs” http://www.best-pharmacy.com/faqs/#q1 A technology that has already began in hospitals is the digital imaging of its graphic data like X-rays. Digital Medical Imaging “UPMC has created a completely "filmless," all-digital system for handling x-ray and other medical images. The hospital system does more than 1 million exams requiring medical images each year.” “Putting medical images online also removes the need for expensive courier services to shuttle x-rays, or -- as sometimes happens when doctors are pressed -- patients themselves carrying x-rays between doctor's offices.” “For Hospitals, an Inevitable Path Towards an All-Digital Future” http://cin.earthweb.com/trends/article.php/1587251 One way to secure patient data when it totally migrates online would be the use of biometrics. Biometrics “In the nation's hospitals and health systems, use of biometric solutions--fingerprint readers, iris or retina scanners, facial recognition, voice identification--is more sparse than one might think. Interest in biometrics is growing because of the privacy and security requirements under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), industry experts say.” “Biometric solutions gain interest” http://www.healthcare-informatics.com/issues/2002/02_02/trends.htm Finally another aspect gaining recognition, which is very closely related to genomics, is bioinformatics. Bioinformatics “Bioinformatics merges molecular biology and genetics with advanced computer science technology to understand the complex web of interactions linking the individual components of a living cell to the integrated behavior of the entire organism.” “Computational biology and Bioinformatics are opening new windows into disease processes and leading to novel diagnostic and treatment strategies.” “According to industry experts, by 2005 pharmacoeconomics will impact the first phase of pharmaceutical drug development, determining on which disease areas companies focus their drug discovery programmes, according to the sales potential offered by particular disease markets. It will also impact the development of better quality drugs, the R&D stop-go decision making process, drug pricing, and the clinical trials process.” “Bioinformatics Technology” http://www.techsectortrends.com/document_86.html I hope that this time I was able to provide information you require. In case you would need further assistance regarding this question, please do not hesitate to ask for another clarification. Best Regards, Easterangel-ga


  • Hi again yuen-ga! Thanks for asking a clarification before making a rating. I will check out other trends to provide a more comprehensive answer. It seems that the link http://www.leapfroggroup.com isn't working yet and is a website under construction. I will try to find more. Thank you for your patience.


  • thanks! This article is just the thing I was looking for :) full marks dude.


  • Hi again. I kept on looking before posting this as answer and I have not found anything for 2003. Since this is a pronouncement of trends recognized by experts it seems that they might hold on to it for a year or 2. Thanks.


  • my apologies, the site is leapfroggroup.org actually bioinformatics and medical informatics are quite different animals. bioinformatics is very focussed in molecular/genome etc fields, and medical are more application based. Your answer helps, but there is just one additional clarification, which is in the area of MEDICAL INFORMATICS, or CLINICAL INFORMATICS. If you could provide some key trends in these areas, it would be exceedingly helpful.


  • Thanks! I'm glad my answer was of assistance to your research. :)


  • needed to work harder on the first answer, but overall very satisfying answer, good work!


  • Wait hold on to your hat! Please ignore my last clarification. Just as I was able to post that last clarification, I found a 2003 version of the nine tech trends! Here is the link: "Nine Tech Trends" February 2003 - Healthcare Informatics http://www.healthcare-informatics.com/issues/2003/02_03/cover.htm I'm sorry for the confusion. I hope you get to catch this. Thanks! :)


  • The website is working now. I have noted your request and will try to find some data for medical informatics. Thanks for your patience


  • thanks, those articles are only semi-useful, being over a year old, as is any year old technology. Are you able to find any more recent publications? thanks.


  • Hi! Thanks for the very interesting question. First of all, the technology that will be presented here could be a trend in the next 3 years or so but it could also be longer since when we are discussing the future nothing is for certain, (except for the first technology trend we will discuss later. Numerous interactions in economics, research and development and even politics could come into play either hastening or stopping technology development. Our first article shall discuss a technology trend whose initial vendors are already selling software products. In fact this will immediately address your concerns about “integrated delivery networks” if not in the world, at least in the US in the next 2 to 3 years. HIPAA compliance, a government mandated directive that will make available comprehensive patient data to US doctors nationwide. “HIPAA compliance will be the biggest business issue the healthcare industry will face in the next two years, say 77 percent of the managers. Over the next 12 months, 57 percent say HIPAA compliance will be a top priority, compared to 45 percent who put a high priority on deploying Internet technology.” “The biggest future technology trend may be making physicians more mobile. The idea of going on rounds with a portable PC that is tapped wirelessly into the hospital network, or simply having a PDA in the exam room of a small practice, is catching on. Fifty percent of technology managers say they will adopt wireless Internet devices within two years, up from 29 percent last year. Similarly, 47 percent hope to adopt hand-held PDAs, such as Palm Pilots, within two years, up from 25 percent last year. Strong interest in speech recognition (46 percent this year compared to 20 percent last year) also will give physicians new-found freedom in the workplace.” Companies and hospitals are already adapting HIPAA driven technologies but its prevalence will be felt in the next years or so. More kinks in its security armor must first be addressed before it could sail smoothly. For more on the HIPAA you may want to take a look at these articles. HIPAA USA http://www.hipaausa.com/overview.html “The Impact of HIPAA on the Healthcare Industry” http://www.hipaausa.com/impact.html “HIPAA Regulations Guide Court in Ordering Patient Privacy Notice” http://www.benefitslink.com/articles/hipaa010618.shtml The next technology trends I will mention will be limited to technologies whose initial stages have been developed so as to have at least a chance of being felt in the next 3 to 4 years or so. a. New Telemedicine Technologies “Telemedicine enables a physician or specialist at one site to deliver health care, diagnose patients, give intra-operative assistance, provide therapy, or consult with another physician or paramedical personnel at a remote site. Telemedicine system consists of customized medical software integrated with computer hardware, along with medical diagnostic instruments connected to the commercial VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) at each location or fibre optics.” “Third-generation wireless cellular systems will offer video telephony that can facilitate the transfer of real-time images to help with communications between a patient or a caregiver and a health-care professional. Interestingly, this technology offers exactly the kind of cost effective solutions for the specific needs arise in rural area situation. Being cost effective, it opens an innovative way to connect rural areas to the cities that already have connectivity to the Internet or have resources available on LAN.” “Some of the existing (or in the process of being developed) disease surveillance systems are as follows:” “(a) Electronic Disease Reporting & Management System (EDRMS)” “(b) Real-time Outbreak and Disease Surveillance (RODS)” “(c) Lightweight Epidemiological Advanced Detection & Emergency Response system (LEADERS)” “Technology trends in telemedicine” Sushil Chandra http://www.expresshealthcaremgmt.com/20030228/tech3.shtml b. Nanotechnology i.) Nanobiology “This new field, that merges mechanistic biology and morphology, is called nanobiology. The emergence of nanobiology depended on the invention of the scanning probe microscopy, modern optical techniques, and micro-manipulating techniques. This concept of nanobiology was first proposed by the Japanese Agency of Science and Technology, in a group study named "Biological Nano-Mechanisms" in 1992-1998.” ii.) Biomolecular imaging “The report "Biomolcular imaging using atomic force microscopy" published by Elsevier's Trends in Biotechnology examines how atomic force microscopes (AFM) can be used to directly observe dynamic biomolecular process in vivo. Explained in simple terms this implies the ability to view macromolecules (proteins and DNA) processing in their natural surroundings. This technology is of great importance to the study of how cell's inner biomachinery works in the human body.” iii.) Medical Nanoparticles, BioMEMS, Proteomics and DNA-chips “The development of DNA-chips (lab on a chip) that first could scan single DNA's for a genetic marker has evolved to proteomics which initially was defined as the effort to catalog the protein complement of cells and tissues. Proteomics has now come to include the systematic study of the functions, interactions, cellular location, expression and post-translational modifications of proteins on a massively parallel scale.” “Nanomedicine and the Future of Healthcare” http://plausible.custompublish.com/cparticle54173-5911.html Here are some medical devices being developed experimentally in different hospitals. a.) Artificial Pancreas “At present, patients at Mercy are using the Continuous Glucose Monitoring System developed by Northridge, Calif.-based MiniMed Inc. (slated for acquisition this year by Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis). A sensor placed under the skin records glucose levels. Data, downloaded to an external computer, is analyzed periodically to check insulin dosing.” “In a step toward automated insulin delivery, MiniMed's affiliate Medical Research Group, Sylmar, Calif., is developing a semi-permanent system in which a glucose sensor implanted in the central vein leading to the heart works in conjunction with a hockey puck?size insulin pump implanted in the abdomen.” b.) Diagnostic Wristwatch “Researchers at Ireland's Dublin City University's National Centre for Sensor Research are completing work on a wristwatch that uses external sensor technology to diagnose cystic fibrosis.” c.) Camera Capsule “Scientists at Given Imaging Ltd., Yoqneam, Israel, have developed a wireless digital camera about the size of a pill (11 x 30 mm). It's sealed in a capsule, which patients swallow, and it takes high-quality color images while passing through the digestive system--including areas that traditional endoscopy methods have trouble viewing.” d.) Medical Robots “The project involves use of cooperative ("steady hand") manipulation devices and automation of low-level mechanical actions to accomplish high-precision tasks, such as moving a needle or catheter to an exact position.” “Healthcare Informatics: FUTURE Tech Devices” http://www.healthcare-informatics.com/issues/2001/09_01/cover.htm Search terms used: healthcare "technology trends" I hope these links would help you in your research. Before rating this answer, please ask for a clarification if you have a question or if you would need further information. Thanks for visiting us. Regards, Easterangel-ga Google Answers Researcher


  • you've pulled out just a few key items, in an otherwise broad field. what you've highlighted are the NEW technologies. i wanted to know trends in technology, not just what new technology will affect healthcare. e.g. increased implementation of e-prescriptions to improve patient safety, which is a big initiative both in the states and globally, which would affect healthcare implementations in a big way. go to http://www.leapfroggroup.com for more info about that example. are there more trends in the way healthcare is practiced? also you seem to have missed out a big area, which is genomics.


  • In my further research, I have found that telemedicine is a part of medical informatics, which I have already provided in my original answer. But if you want to refer specifically to medical or clinical informatics, I have here some resources. I found 2 reports one from 1999 and the other for 2002. In this 1999 report it mentions telemedicine as a dominant topic in medical informatics. “The dominant topic has been, undoubtedly, telemedicine and telematics. Actually the program committee has made a separate chapter on internet/intranet. The tremendous increase of applications in this area shows the real need in medical practice, and the papers showed the real advantages, despite high initial investments.” “Actual trends in medical informatics” http://atlas.ici.ro/ehto/MEDINF99/papers/MIHALAS/actual_trends_in_medical_informa.htm In a more recent article, February 2002, I got the new nine trend to look for in healthcare or medical informatics. Together with this I was able to retrieve from the Harvard website presentation version of this article. As you can see it is the same list from the article. “NINE TECH TRENDS” February 2002 - Healthcare Informatics http://www.healthcare-informatics.com/issues/2002/02_02/cover.htm “Nine Trends in Medical Informatics” (Harvard website) http://labmed.bwh.harvard.edu/pathology/Presentations/ITpresentation/tsld013.htm This article meanwhile talks about clinical information systems. “Clinical Information Systems: Achieving the Vision” http://www.informatics-review.com/thoughts/vision.html Thanks again for being so patient. I hope that you would be able to use this information. Best Regards, Easterangel-ga







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