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How Technology Is Transforming Medicine

Book: The Creative Destruction of Medicine, by Dr. Eric Topol
Basic Books
Book: The Creative Destruction of Medicine, by Dr. Eric Topol
The Creative Destruction of Medicine author joins us to discuss how technology is transforming medicine.
GUESTDr. Eric Topol, Chief Academic Officer, Scripps Health

Dr. Eric Topol, a cardiologist and director of the Scripps Translational Science Institute, discussed his new book, "The Creative Destruction of Medicine- How the Digital Revolution Will Create Better Health Care," on KPBS-FM's Midday Edition and KPBS Television's Evening Edition.

In the book, Topol makes the argument that devices like smart phones and tablets could dramatically change medicine. He said those things have already radically changed our daily lives.

"What if that was health care?" he asked.

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Smart phones could be used to check vital signs, blood pressure, glucose levels and how a particular medicine might interact with our DNA, Topol said.

"There are new tools, new rules for how medicine will be practiced," he said.

But change has to be consumer driven, because the medical community is resistant to change, Topol added.

He thinks consumers will be willing to drive this change "because they’re so invested in their own health to take that active, participatory role."

But despite the potential for advances, Topol said people will still need to interact with the medical community to get guidance.

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Eric Topol Discusses Creative Destruction of Medicine