27 Future: Ubiquitous Computing, Virtual Reality, and Augmented Reality
James P. Turley · 1995
Ubiquitous computing, virtual reality, and augmented reality indicate new directions for computer use in nursing practice. Nursing has not been on the front line of computer implementation in health care; that may change in the future. Computers are integrated into some healthcare areas more than others. Laboratory systems would not be possible without computer based automation. Large numbers of sampies are tested; the results are promptly and efficiently reported. Billing and finance are completely de pendent on computer-based information for insurance expensing, record checking, and, in many cases, the scheduling of patients, equipment, and staff. Computers have entered into a number of clinical arenas. Computers are embedded in a number of bedside products. Intravenous (IV) pumps, ven tilators, and monitors are managed by computer. Until recently, these machines ran independently of each other; lately these products have begun to communicate with each other, sharing information related to patient treatment and recordkeeping. Information services have been among the last areas in health care to receive assistance from computing technology. As the future looms, new generations of computing will become common place throughout the healthcare arena. This chapter will review some of the possibilities for computerized nurs ing in the future, examine some of the problems, and explore some of the features. It is clear that computers will become ubiquitous in the healthcare and nursing environments. Computerization in health care will progress in some unexpected ways: First is the notion of ubiquitous computing dis cussed by Mark Weiser of Xerox Corporation; second is the notion of vir tual reality (projects are under way in industrial and defense areas, and examples exist in medical education); and third is the notion of augmented reality, which combines some of the aspects of ubiquitous computing and virtual reality to provide what may be the critical elements for nursing. All of these are computer-intensive environments, and all will impact the de livery of nursing and health care in the future.