Telecommunications in Primary Care

Abstract

It may seem odd to argue that “the era of computers is over,” given the myriad and significant contributions of computer technology described in the preceding chapters. From electronic health records to clinical decision support, computers seem poised to transform medicine and healthcare in the next decade. The distinction remains valid, if subtle, however. The tools and services described to this point are rarely “stand-alone” computing. Practical informatics will be connected computing, and in this sense Kelly’s predictions make sense. A PC in a physician’s office will be linked to millions of other systems across the globe, able to retrieve data and information and knowledge from a diverse wealth and depth of resources. Momentous, indeed.

The grand irony of our times is that the era of computers is over. All the major consequences of stand-alone computers have already taken place. Computers have speeded up our lives a bit, and that's it. In contrast, all the most promising technologies making their debut now are chiefly due to communication betweeen computers- that is to connections rather than to computations. And since communication is tha basis of culture, fiddling at this level is indeed momentous.¹ Kevin Kelley, 1997