FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES USING TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES IN PICTURE-PROCESSINGAND DATA TRANSFER

In recent years there have been many significant developments in the a bility to process radiographic pictures and transfer the images from o ne location to another, and we can now examine the application of comp uters in the radiographic evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis. Image ma nagement and communication systems can assist in providing better heal th care while lowering costs. Although this work is still in its infan cy, the rapid growth in both hardware capability and software techniqu es will soon make these techniques available to physicians everywhere. The expanding capability in the commercial world is being embraced by the radiology department, and will soon allow rheumatologists to acce ss images at greater distances, and do more with the images which beco me available.