[Traveling on the data highway--online information for urologists]. / Unterwegs auf der Datenautobahn--Online-Informationen für Urologen.

Global exchange of information is one of the major sources of scientific progress in medicine. Electronic media have recently supplemented the standard methods of scientific communication such as congresses, books and journals. Currently, 30 million computers are part of the world-wide, exponentially growing network, the ""information superhighway''. Numerous resources offered by the network are becoming increasingly useful in clinical medicine. In Germany, three major networks are currently available: T-Online/Datex-J, Compuserve and Internet. The majority of information relevant to urologists can be found in the Internet. This information includes medical journals that can either partly or completely be read online, online library catalogs, scientific images (pathology and radiology), and databases on urologic oncology and basic research in urology. Even outside academic institutions access to the "information superhighway" is easily available. Currently, the "information superhighway" constitutes a new source of database-type information; in the near future, medical education, clinical consultation and worldwide cooperation in clinical studies will be new fields of scientific communication employing worldwide computer networks.

Information technology improving health care delivery in Arnhemland.

This paper will outline the modification of an existing medical records system called Health Planner to meet the needs of three health services servicing communities and outstations in Arnhemland. Improved continuity of care and program planning has resulted from computerisation.

Recent developments in electronic medical records.

Human factors engineering principles will guide the development of future EMR systems. Physicians will use wireless palmtop computers to record patient data so that the computer does not come between the physician and patient in routine encounters. With few exceptions, the pieces for this type of system are available today, but not in one package. I believe EMR developers have recognized the ubiquity and power of the Internet. Because of advances in computers, software, and telecommunications reliability, solutions using thin-client technology will lower the cost of EMRs to physicians.

A look to the future: how emerging information technology will impact operations and practice.

The use of information technology tools in home care delivery is dramatically increasingly. This technology can streamline business and clinical processes by linking people with one another and to vital healthcare information at any time, any place. This article describes four emerging information technology trends that are currently influencing home care nursing and presents future implications.

[Facing the challenges of ubiquitous computing in the health care sector]. / Herausforderungen durch ubiquitäres Computing im Gesundheitsbereich.

The steady progress of microelectronics, communications and information technology will enable the realisation of the vision for "ubiquitous computing" where the Internet extends into the real world embracing everyday objects. The necessary technical basis is already in place. Due to their diminishing size, constantly falling price and declining energy consumption, processors, communications modules and sensors are being increasingly integrated into everyday objects today. This development is opening up huge opportunities for both the economy and individuals. In the present paper we discuss possible applications, but also technical, social and economic barriers to a wide-spread use of ubiquitous computing in the health care sector.