Who else remembers Minority Report (2002), where the lead (played by Tom Cruise) could view and zoom in on reports, and even get a 360-degree view of on-site events through gesture-based user interfaces? Or maybe the communicator pins and tablets featured in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)? The technologies displayed were only the stuff of imagination then; and yet, within just two decades, many of the devices are now here, available among the masses.
Smartphones, fingerprint-recognition devices, voice-controlled lights, Facebook 360 videos, Pokémon Go; these are just a few examples of the elegant and brilliant technology that have made its way into our everyday life. We are also seeing more uses of technology coming into our field; some people embrace them while some are wary of them.
SMA President Dr Wong Tien Hua paints a fantastical future in his column, mentioning current-day technology. He also emphasised that no matter how advanced technology gets, it is still essential for a doctor to connect with the patient, and for patients to take ownership of their own health.
The feature article by Dr Yau Teng Yan is on the concept of mobile health, and he reviews some apps that help specifically in diabetes management. Dr Zubin Daruwalla writes on the importance of keeping our care patient-centric even as we embrace new technology, and Dr Choo Kay Wee summarises the pros and cons of using smartphone technology in his GP practice.
Come August this year, SMA will be bringing you an exciting event – Singapore Medical Week by SMA – where different companies and players in technology within healthcare will be brought together. We hope that it will be a good platform for you to try out new gadgets and services, as well as to network.
Dr Bertha Woon presents a short report on the World Medical Association General Assembly which was held in Taipei last October. There are two highlights that are especially relevant to our own healthcare system. Taiwan is utilising technology to allow better coordination of care for their patients, a concept similar to the local National Electronic Health Record. Meanwhile, Japan is focused on providing integrated care for the elderly and has set up a national taskforce comprising senior advisors, as well as "younger" doctors. They believe that the younger doctors would be more invested 20 to 30 years from now when they are in the prime of their career!
Our regular contributor, Dr Desmond Wai, shares some of his personal good practice advice on dealing with certain difficult administrative and social situations. Finally, a team of orthopaedics doctors made a trip to the Everest Base Camp with Dr Foo Gen Lin in the lead. He reports on their journey, and reminds students and colleagues to never give up on dreams and aspirations.
We wish you, readers and members, a good and fulfilling year ahead!