The Mechanics of Technology and Digital

Abstract

In this short chapter an overview of technology currently in use in health care is discussed. Both hardware and software are explained offering the reader a high level summary of critical components used in conventional computing. Comparisons between computer functionality and human activity such as riding a bike or driving on a motorway are described. Cloud computing is introduced and the example of how mobile technology applications on health and wellbeing can be used is discussed.

Glossary

API

Application Programmable Interface—Essentially documentation around the capabilities of a certain technology

ASCII

American Standard Code for Information Interchange, common form character encoding

Asynchronous

Non-synchronized usually applies to network communication where communication is event based rather than time based

Bit

Digital Unit, one bit can either be represented by a 1 or a 0

Browser

Used to visually/audibly interpret data received either locally or via a form of transfer protocol

Byte

Digital Unit, one Byte is a representation of 8 bits and can store a value of up to 2⁸ or 256

Cache

Usually applies to the storage of retrieved data, most networks have a cache to prevent the need to request the same information multiple times from the same source

Clinical decision support

Clinical decision support—Tools used in clinical practice for enhancing health-related decisions and actions with pertinent, organized clinical knowledge and patient information to improve health and healthcare delivery

Cloud

A term used to describe a new form computing, “cloud” computing relates to remote based computing, instead of storing and processing all of your information locally, all computation and storage is done remotely on the “cloud” which is an external server or network of servers

CPU

Central Processing Unit—the primary mechanism of processing driving the core operations of a computer

Database

Database Most common form of persistent data storage

Encryption

Mathematical operation to change the original format of data

Ethernet

Form of computer networking technology, commonly used for Local Area Networks (LAN)

External hard drive

A data storage device

GUI

Graphical User Interface, where icons are used to identify programs, files, and other processing options

Interface

Multiple meanings, in oop programming an interface is a blue print for a class, can be used as another term for GUI as well

Interoperability

The ability of disparate and diverse organisations to interact towards mutually beneficial and agreed common goals, involving the sharing of information and knowledge between the organisations, through the business processes they support, by means of the exchange of data between their respective ICT systems. Source EIF Report http://bookshop.europa.eu/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/EU-Bookshop-Site/en_GB/-/EUR/ViewPublication-Start?PublicationKey=KK0113147

Interoperability Framework

An interoperability framework is an agreed approach to interoperability for organisations that wish to work together towards the joint delivery of public services. Within its scope of applicability, it specifies a set of common elements such as vocabulary, concepts, principles, policies, guidelines, recommendations, standards, specifications and practices

LAN

Local Area Network

Modem

Physical device used to transmit digital data through analogue communication

PDA

Personal Digital Assistant, can be used to describe a range of digital devices

Protocol

In ICT a set of invisible computer rules that govern how an internet document gets transmitted to your screen

RAM

Random Access Memory

ROM

Read Only Memory

Secure Sockets Layer

Most commonly used as an encryption layer for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP)

Semantic interoperability

Semantic interoperability refers to the ability of computer systems to transmit data with unambiguous, shared meaning

Synchronous

Usually applies to network communication where both ends of the network are synchronized to expect communication at particular time

USB

Universal Serial Bus—form of data transfer

Use case

Specific scenarios designed to illustrate and provide context for testing a specific digital task or functionality

VPN

A virtual private network which extends a private network across a public network such as the Internet

VOIP

Voice Over Internet Protocol

Wide Area Network

Wide Area Network

WLAN

Wireless Local Area Network