I saw a timeline recently which showed how quickly new technology has spread through society. What was remarkable was how the gap between new tech has got shorter.

Who would believe that the iPhone was only released six years ago and the iPad three years ago. Apps, email, Twitter and Facebook are changing the way we work and interact.

A fascinating bit of trivia I heard was that the Voyager space exploration that was launched in 1977 and has just left the solar system, has a computer in it less powerful than an iPhone. The mind boggles.

It strikes me that in health services, we are a fair way behind. New technology is advanced but thinking of a use for it isn’t.

It is now possible in Oxford: To use the net to book an appoint-ment, to order medic-ation, to consult a doctor via email, to send pictures of skin rashes to a specialist, to remotely monitor the housebound, and to hold a consultation via Skype.

However, most of the time this doesn’t happen. I wonder why?

We don’t tend to use the really clever kit but there is potential there, particularly new smart phones. For example, there are ‘apps’ that can construct care plans and connect health workers to avoid telling your story again and again.

I’ll suggest reasons for the slowness.

Firstly the unwell are likely to be people who use new technology.

People who use smart phones are likely to be younger and fitter. Ironically, the person most likely to benefit from a Skype consultation, or ordering drugs on-line, is the person who cannot leave the house due to ill-health. This will change as older people become internet savvy and the technology spreads. It is important that we do this, so those in the greatest need get the benefit of new technology.

Another reason is a natural skepticism of ‘new fangled’ ideas. This is often reasonable as there can be wacky ideas that would waste time. There is also the correct argument that we need to make sure we use what we have well.

An example is one of the best bits of technology ever invented – the telephone. We can use the phone much better to save people having to come and see doctors. Why spend half a day coming to hospital just to be told your tests are OK? A short call to a doctor can save everyone’s time.

But still: I can’t help but be attracted to new kit. Maybe it is the inner nerd in me, but there is so much pote-ntial out there. We do need to try new things other wise we would be using comp-uters the size of double decker buses rather than the size of a match box.