Title: Evolving medical informatics: from diagnosis to prognosis

Authors: B.W. Trevor Rohm, C.E. Tapie Rohm Jr

Addresses: Kern Medical Center, St George's Medical School, 817 Quail Ridge Drive, #46, Bakersfield, CA 93309, USA. ' Information Sciences, Department of Information and Decision Sciences, California State University San Bernardino, 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA 92407, USA

Abstract: The application of computers to the medical field is not new; however, the leisurely rate of integration has left the medical field in the ||dark ages|| of technology. A brief overview of how computers and technology have been used in the medical field is necessary to understand medical computer science. The recent advances of the internet infrastructure and personal computing, combined with the ubiquitous nature of their application, have allowed everyday people to incorporate technology into their daily routine. Only a few have ventured into the ill-defined world of medical computer science, some with great success, others with hopeful failures. The purpose of this paper is to sustain the recent advances in medical computer science and to provide support for shifting the focus of medical technology from diagnosis towards patient prognosis.

Keywords: computer integration; daily routine; diagnosis; medical informatics; medical science; prognosis; technology; healthcare.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEH.2004.004660

International Journal of Electronic Healthcare, 2004 Vol.1 No.1, pp.103 - 111

Published online: 26 May 2004 *

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