Question

Write a two page essay about the contributions made by Dr. Octo Barnett in the development of healthcare computer applications. Your textbook talks about Dr. Barnett, but you also need to do an internet search (citing your sources appropriately) for this paper.

Answer 1

Dr.Octo Barnett is the founder of computer applications at Massachusetts General Hospital. He is recognized as "Father of Medical Informatics" worldwide. In 1964, he was recruited as head of the computer project in Mass Hospital which made a dramatic change in the medical information System.

He is a co-developer of Nation's First Electronic health system, and diagnostic Decision support system. The programming (MUMPS) is the foundation for the number of clinical systems and still, it is used. He also authored for the number of medical publications such as electronic health records, Knowledge support, medical education, and decision support. He is the Former President of American Association of Medical Informatics. He has very much contributed to National Computer Health Study and study on Healthcare Informatics and healthcare system.

The time-sharing technology developed by Barrett in Mass General hospital in the turning point of the computer applications. Medical information system development is the second cutting edge of the information process. Initially, the implementation of the system took too long time as there were no telephonic lines. It faces so many challenges in the daily practice. The General electric company support the hospital industry to develop Hardware system. Then he involved in the development of conversion of cardiovascular function into the mathematical program.

Between 1967-1972 he took challenges in the variety of areas of medical applications. He enhanced and modified the Laboratory reporting system. The Harvard Community plan developed full computer-based health record system. Along with Tony, he involved in the making of computer-aided medical diagnosis. He also interested in the role of the computer program in the medical education.

The Information technology plays a major role in patient care and public health. The practice of modern medicine is impossible without information technology. The information technology plays a broad role in obtaining and sharing of patient information, assessing of patient data, planning of the diagnostic procedure, laboratory studies, and evidence-based practice. The information technology simplifies the role of decision-making in patient's well-being through the broad communication.

Reference:

1. Barnett GO, Castleman PA. A timesharing computer system for patient-care activities. Comp Biomed Research. 1967; 1:41-50.

2. Greenes RA, Pappalardo AN, Marble CW, Barnett GO. Design and implementation of a clinical data management system. Comp Biomed Research. 1969; 2:469-485.