High performance computers and communications and telemedicine:from home care to privacy and security of health care data

摘要

The 21st Century will be the Information Age. Implementation andsupport of the strategic plan for a national/global informationinfrastructure will occur through the utilization of high-performancecomputing and communications (HPCC). HPCC technology provides apotentially huge payoff in health care. From teleconsultations to theavailability of health-related databases, the effect of using HPCC willenhance patient care, improve drug design and broaden access to medicalinformation. Geographic distance, time to accomplish tasks, separationof people from resources, and outdated organizational structures areimpediments that inhibit the ultimate achievement of all these goals.Information technology has a pervasive and unprecedented ability toremove these barriers to progress. As part of the strategic planningprocess, three broad classes of user-driven applications have beenidentified: (1) high-performance applications; (2) high-confidenceapplications-improving the integration, privacy, security andreliability of information flows within and across enterprises; and (3)high-capability applications for the individual-empowering individualswith universal, easy-to-use access information, and providingcustomization and support of their information space