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With surging numbers in diabetes, obesity, asthma and cardiac disease, seventy percent of all the health care resources are dedicated to the 100 million American who have chronic illnesses. In this program, we look at how information technology is playing an increasing role in health care, particularly in chronic disease management.

EMR: Electronic Medical Records is an integral part of the future of

health care. Dr. Tom Landholt of Springfield, MO, has been a leader in implementing and developing software to automate medical offices. EMR means all records are on the computer, saving valuable time for the doctor, staff and patients, improving efficiency, and giving the doctor more time with patients. With a computer in each exam room, each patient can see his or her own medical chart and be a better partner in his or her own healthcare. The Internet is available in each exam room so Dr. Landholt can help lpatients acquire information to continue their treatment when they get home. We also will learn how a larger medical practice is integrating EMR in their office.

Home Monitors and VNA: For post-operative cardiac care, new monitors can be put in the homes of patients so that they can record daily vital signs and information that can then be checked by Visiting Nurses, who then electronically send that information to the office for evaluation and transmission to the doctor. This ensures more frequent monitoring and consisten review that what could be accomplished by a visit to the doctor's office or from a visiting nurse.