4. The Stethoscope: Extinct Technology?
Are the nurse’s tasks becoming obsolete? Leading cardiologist Eric Topol says patients will soon be able to monitor their own vital signs and chronic conditions on their smart phones. Topol points out other soon-to-come features such as calorie counters and sleep cycle monitors, all available on a handheld personal device, leaving us to wonder when these smart phones officially go beyond “smart” and enter the realm of “smug.” Or, better yet, “nurse.”