Healthcare IT –Technology’s Unintended Consequences

Technology Today is dedicated to discussing the positive effects tech has on society from smart phones to online education - and we've really only begun to scratch the surface. But, while technology has had a huge effect on everyday life, nothing is perfect. This week, we talk about a situation where technology, unintentionally, has led to some negative consequences.

For example, advances in medical science and technology not allow young people with formerly fatal health conditions to live well into adulthodd, allowing families who have children with such conditions to enjoy a relatively normal family life. We constantly encourage doctors and the medical industry to make new discoveries and breakthroughs. However, these life extending treatment options can not only be costly but take year away from a normal childhood - by keeping the child out of school and off of the playground sometimes for years. And also be keeping a parent home to care for and comfort the child - meaning a loss of income and sometimes creating such a stressful environment that can break apart the family unit. And even after enduring years of life extending medical procedures, protocols and medicines as a child, these same children get lost as young adults. The same services, resources and care that helped them survive their childhood become more and more difficult to come by to attain "quality of life" care that allows them to return to school, go to work and resume a normal, health life.

This week, we talk with Dr. Santi Bhagat, founder of Physicial-Parent Caregivers (PPC), an advocate working to provide the necessary treatment and support systems so that this population can grow into truly healthy adults able to function socially and contribute economically to society.

For anyone who has a chronically ill child, or knows of a family facing these circumstances - this is an important episode that you will want to catch. Join Us!