Viewpoint

Do Americans like self-service? I do. I know others that do. I also know people that miss the man with the star that pumped the gas and checked the oil. I was in the self-checkout line of a major retailer just yesterday listening to the elderly married couple behind me grouse about self-checkout lines, even though they were standing in one. The husband resented having to scan the items himself and his wife worried about fewer jobs for cashiers. However, neither was willing to go stand in the longer non-automated lines. I marveled at the dichotomy.

As you might guess, I’m in favor of the First Amendment to the Constitution. Without it, we could not speak our minds without fear of persecution. Artists and photographers could not freely explore subjects and display their work. Writers could not opine and publish without fear of censorship. The People could not criticize the Government and not be incarcerated. Free speech is a cornerstone of our society. It’s necessary and it must be protected. However, we also may be exposed to opinions that make us feel uncomfortable. We may even be repulsed by something we read, hear or see. So it goes in a society that protects with law its peoples’ ability to speak and share information.

Well, we’re just back from HIMSS and it was a great show. Enthusiasm was high and the technology sparkled. By our measure, the show also was noticeably larger than previous years. At least our aching feet told us so. As is our habit, we asked those with whom we met what trends they’d spotted that differentiated this show from the last. The answers surprised us. Interoperability, they said, almost to the last, was the growing trend. Now, if you’ve been reading this magazine for the past two years you know that interoperability has been covered in HMT’s pages for at least that long. So to us, the topic isn’t new. However, it did gain momentum in the past year, what with EHR CCHIT certification, which apparently put it on the radars of many in attendance.

Life is funny sometimes.

Just when things seem to be working out, a wrench lands in your lap and everything goes awry. Such was the case mid-year 2006. After Associate Editor Kathleen Waton’s departure, we set about to find a qualified replacement. This turned out not to be such an easy task as Kathleen is an excellent editor. We persevered and eventually found E. Victor Brown, HMT’s newest Associate Editor, who has already proven himself to be an enormous asset. Once again, it seemed HMT was rigged for smooth sailing when unexpectedly our Editor-in-Chief, Robin Blair, fell ill and needed surgery. Thankfully, Robin is recovering and doing fine, however, she has decided to retire from HMT.