In the health care sector, technology is generally seen as a catalyst
for changing the staffing requirements. Emerging fields include laser
and lithotripsy technicians, molecular genetic technologists, systems
designers, nurse tele-practicioners, support technologists and surgeon
specialists in robotic surgery.
Although technology is a major shaping force in the health care field,
reduced government spending and the high cost of the new technology
affect the speed with which high-tech developments are integrated into
the health system. For instance, Maclean's magazine reports a
cost of $120,000 for a voice-activated arm that guides a tiny fibre-optic
camera through the body and up to $375,000 for a computer system that
controls the total operating environment (Sheppard, Jan. 10, 2000).
Other information technologies in health care include computerized
patient records, scheduling, accounting, pharmacy as well as health
care literature, decision support systems, health devices databases,
public health information and government information systems all of
which support the emerging field of electronically delivered health
services.
A truly comprehensive patient care system could replace all manual
systems of patient care documentation, all methods of assignment of
health care personnel, workload measurement technologies and report
writing for clinical research and auditing of medical records for legal/professional
requirements.
The health care sector is increasing the use of information technologies
in diagnosis, treatment, and professional and public education. For
example, the new, less-invasive surgery permitted by high technology
allows patients to go home as soon as a day after what was once considered
major surgery. Teleconferencing, database networks and electronic transfer
of digital imaging save travel costs for those in remote areas.
The Telehealth Sector in Canada (HRDC 1999 b) lists the main applications
of telehealth currently being utilized:
Medicine-at-a-distance. This includes the areas of teleconsultations,
telepathology, teleradiology, telepsychiatry, telecardiology, etc.
Home-health care applications. This includes telemonitoring,
remote home care, emergency networkers, telecare networks, etc.
Tele-education and multi-media applications. Health professionals
and patients alike are able to take advantage of the information available
over the Internet and special medical networks. Networked research
databases are used by universities, hospitals, researchers, associations,
etc. to expand their knowledge.
Public Health and Community Health Information Networks (CHINs)
and multiple-use health networks (Mar., 1999, p. 1).
Telehealth will likely lead to less clerical and middle-management
staff; more opportunities for technical workers such as chief information
officers, computer application specialists, computer programmers and
database managers; and an increased set of skills for health care workers
who will need to expand their duties to use the new technologies.
