RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Surgery in the 2020s: Implications of advancing technology for patients and the workforce
JF Future Healthcare Journal
JO Future Healthc J
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP 46
OP 49
DO 10.7861/fhj.2020-0001
VO 7
IS 1
A1 Richard SC Kerr
YR 2020
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/7/1/46.abstract
AB As the surgical workforce, surgical techniques and patient expectations change, the Royal College of Surgeons of England is actively engaged in taking forward the recommendations of its Future of Surgery Commission. Here the commission's chair articulates the implications for smaller hospitals and the need for achieving interoperability and safe sharing of patient data across different systems, so enabling immediate access to patients' records across healthcare organisations; extension of regulation to surgical care practitioners, reflecting the recent decision to regulate physician associates and physician assistants; introducing a UK-wide registry of surgical devices, with tracking for implantable devices; implementing a robotics strategy to help the NHS plan and purchase new surgical robotics, as well as monitor their use and the effect on outcomes; and investing in genomic medicine and artificial intelligence for diagnostics, and in stem-cell research for treatment.