The means and timing of economic recovery are center stage, and will be for the next year or two. The cost of health care becomes increasingly important as family incomes shrink and/or health insurance coverage is lost due to job loss. Therefore, public and legislative sentiment will search for ways to make health care affordable and available.
Furthermore, the often noted growing proportion of the U.S. population in the "golden years" adds to the need for health care changes. That demographic shift translates into need for more, not fewer, doctors that specialize in geriatric medicine. Medical schools can respond to that need, but programs that address drug and treatment costs must accompany training of more gerontologists.
Cost cutting can facilitate better coverage. Medical records are still done with paper and pen, with transcription into computers in some cases. Direct data entry into a computer is possible and information readily available to the spectrum of specialists treating one individual. The same records can be available when a patient has an emergency while traveling. (Opponents of computerized medical records voice concern about confidentiality. Patients could be given the option of having their records available only to specified physicians.)
The human genome has been decoded – in general. Each person has variations from the general pattern in the original studies. As the expense of decoding an individual's genes comes down personalized drug choices will be possible. The best drug can be prescribed, thereby avoiding the cost of ineffective drugs and trial and error. That avoids delay and disaster. Cost savings result from not buying ineffective drugs.
Computers can cut the cost of record keeping, while speeding information sharing among medical personnel. DNA technology can bring savings in the future. Technology may make health care more available and more efficient. | 