Share or Die - the Future of Health Technology and Information

Stuart Gowland, Consultant Urologist, Christchurch and Director of the Mobile Surgical Project, presented this paper focused on sharing technology.

Gowland emphasised the need for sharing expensive medical facilities and knowledge, citing examples of equipment than can be shared such as video and computing technologies and broadband to transmit genuine video.

He provided details on the set-up and management of a mobile surgical unit developed as an innovative way to allow day surgery to be re-established in New Zealand’s smaller hospitals. The unit uses nursing staff from the local hospital and regional surgeons.

Gowland noted that other technologies that may lend themselves to mobile use include the CAT scanner and the MRI unit. He highlighted that mobile use is a good way to share costs in emerging technologies that need regular replacement.

Gowland briefly reviewed the use of telepresent surgery and telebiotic support for surgery.

In his concluding remarks, Gowland noted the importance of considering both health and social costs in relation to decisions about provision of health services. For example, mobile surgery may cost more than provision of the same surgical services in base hospitals but such a calculation does not account for the positive social aspect of providing surgery in smaller hospitals, including positive benefits for patients, hospital staff, communities, etc.