Panel: Trends in Health Care Information Systems

Abstract

The panel presents significant trends in demographic and economic forces that are driving healthcare delivery systems, how health care providers are responding to these driving forces, and how information systems are being developed using new technology to help health care providers and consumers. An aging population and rapidly increasing government and business health care expenditures are forcing hospitals and other health care providers to consolidate, compete, become more efficient, and diversify and market their services. Emerging computer technology will facilitate the development of information systems that utilize integrated data bases, communication networks, appropriate input/output devices, and cost effective computing power to provide the financial, management, and medical information required by these evolving provider systems.