Science Fiction Becomes Science Fact

October 14, 2009

By Steven Linan

Live demonstrations of devices that do everything from helping physicians connect with each other on patient care issues to showing people how stressful situations affect their own hearts were highlights of the Body Computing 3.0 conference on Oct. 9.

“This year was different because we had real products to show,” said Leslie Saxon, chief of the Division of Cardiology and organizer of the third annual event. “Science fiction has become science fact.”

The conference was launched following remarks from Carmen A. Puliafito, dean of the Keck School of Medicine of USC, and Elizabeth Garrett, USC vice president for academic planning and budget. Panel discussions were led by experts from the Keck School of Medicine, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, the USC Marshall School of Business and the USC School of Cinematic Arts.

The panelists joined leaders from technology and health institutions in discussions of such issues as the protection of medical information collected in applications, devices that help people manage their health and how these devices relate to health care reform in terms of cost control and improving patient outcomes.