Ted Talks - Daniel Kraft: Medicine's Future? There's an app for that

Daniel Kraft talks about using apps and the mobile phone to help diagnose one self and send the information directly to the physician. He is proposing changing the way our medical records are maintained and various types of checks up when needed. The applications will also be able to warn you when you in need to go to the doctore because something is wrong.

Kraft talked about many ways to improve healthcare that would put doctors out of business but keep more people healthy and alert them sooner rather than later when something is wrong such as cancer.  He feels this is the way to catch cancer early before it spreads.  Kraft talked about using Bluetooth and wireless technology to assist the blind with seeing through special lenses that would transmit images.  I think this form of medical technology would be great and keep us from waiting long periods of time in the doctors office for keep us from going in when we may not need to because our information would be transmitted automatically.

"The goal is to have an impact in medicine that will start an exponential trend which refers to innovation, decentralization, miniaturization and personalization, resulting in exponential technologies.  Exponential technology is empowering the patient, enabling the physician, enhancing wellness and curing the well before they get sick." (Kraft) 

http://www.ted.com/talks/daniel_kraft_medicine_s_future.html

Tablet Computing

Time-to-Adoption Horizon: One Year or Less
NMC Horizon Report: 2012 Higher Education Edition

Mobile devices have come a long way from the old PDA's and small cell phones. As computers  became smaller, cell phones increased in size and the two merged into what we now know as the tablet. A convenient device that can stay connected with cell phone providers such as AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint. 

Technology has made many feel that they must stay connected at all times, increasing the number of businesses that have Wi-Fi available, including trains and buses.  Our society feels the need to stay connected and having the accommodations provided to help them do so.  The trend with tablets is the convenience and the all-inclusive entertainment, gaming, education and reading the device enables users to have.

The two forces in Tablet Computing that define and may facilitate or reduce the likelihood of success are educational and ideal.  The educational side provides functionality with features that are always advancing and changing to meet the needs and demands of consumer.

Overall, the tablet is ideal because it can be small, medium, or large yet it is easily accessible and conveniently fits in a purse.  The other advantage is that it can replace textbooks and books.  The only downfall is battery life.  If the battery does not, last it will prevent users from wanting to use it, because with a paper book, one never  has to worry about the battery dying.  However, one has to worry if light is not available, but with the tablet, a light is always available as long as the battery is powered.

In regards to the modified Delphi approach and the Horizon Report, the changes geared to help the readers and provide more education in a user-friendly environment.  According to the wiki, the approach is how the topics chosen may be expected to have an educational impact.

http://www.ctudoctoral.net/file.php/1126/2012-Horizon-Report-HE.pdf
http://horizon.wiki.nmc.org/search/view/modified+delphi+approach