IBM Virtual Healthcare Island

IBM is getting serious about the healthcare space. They've created the "IBM Virtual Healthcare Island" and is based on their Healthcare 2015 vision. Will the incorporation of information technology drastically improve patient care? I certainly hope so. Technology is advancing so rapidly, the capabilities are certainly there. We just need to leverage the resources properly.

http://www-03.ibm.com/industries/healthcare/doc/content/landing/2955767105.html?P_Campaign=6N3EWS82

What will happen to paper?

So many things are being converted into an electronic format. Take books for instance. Now, we have Amazon pushing the Kindle. Sony's also had the Reader Digital Book for a while now. Who's switching to e-books?

Another example: magazines. Now, many readers use Zinio and read their magazines electronically.

What's going to happen to paper? More college students are using Tablet PCs in the classroom. They take their notes, submit their assignments, and stay connected using this single device. Who needs a notepad when you can scribble a note and e-mail that message instantaneously?

Will the morning newspaper disappear as more people read news on some type of digital device?

For clinicians, the old PDR is getting replaced by various electronic resources. Medical textbooks are now available online. Journals are being saved and e-mailed as PDFs.

The transition is happening slowly, so it will be very interesting to see what the world looks like in 5 or 10 years. Newer computer operating systems will likely be dependent on speech and touch input. The art of typing may also fade. But if people continue to use touch-screen devices and tablet computers, then penmanship may come back.

Are you ready for e-prescribing?

If you've been thinking about electronic prescribing, then you have the opportunity to get plugged into an online resource that can help you "get connected."

Take a look and Get Rx Connected here:
http://www.getrxconnected.com/