The rapid growth in information technology has already had a radical
impact on health care delivery and the education of nurses. Advances in
processing capacity and speed, the development of interactive user
interfaces, developments in image storage and transfer technology, changes
in telecommunications technology, and the increased affordability of
personal computers have contributed to the explosion of information
technology applications. Advances in digital technology have increased the
applications of telehealth and telemedicine, bringing together patient and
provider without physical proximity. Nanotechnology will introduce new
forms of clinical diagnosis and treatment by means of inexpensive handheld
biosensors capable of detecting a wide range of diseases from miniscule
body specimens.
Dramatic improvements in the accessibility of clinical data across
settings and time have improved both outcomes and care management. The
electronic medical record will replace traditional documentation systems.
Through the Internet, consumers will be increasingly armed with
information previously available only to clinicians. Electronic commerce
will become routine for transacting health care services and products.
Nurses of the 21st century need to be skilled in the use of computer
technology. Already, distance learning modalities link students and
faculty from different locales and expand the potential for accessible
continuing professional education. Technically sophisticated preclinical
simulation laboratories will stimulate critical thinking and skill
acquisition in a safe and user-friendly environment. Faster and more
flexible access to data and new means of observation and communication are
having an impact on how nursing research is conducted.
Reprinted with permission from the National League of Nursing