Been There, Done That : ...

The self-care market in 1995 will be hotter than ever, predicts Peter Flatow, president of the think tank Co-Knowledge. Instead of being guided by doctors, consumers will continue to flock toward vitamin supplements, fitness products, home diagnostic kits and over-the-counter medications--anything that doesn’t require a trip to the doctor. More people will turn to health and nutrition publications and computer software for medical information.

In the coming year, information technology will allow people to access medical information via computer or download their personal medical records and their questions to a medical center or doctor’s office. These interactive systems will pop up in doctors’ offices, pharmacies, nursing homes, even supermarkets. The trend may ease the way for computer-based patient records, a concept people have long talked about but have been uneasy with.

In 1995, the first home test for HIV infection may be approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Johnson & Johnson has submitted an application for approval for its “Home Access HIV Test and Counseling Service.” If approved as expected, individuals can draw a blood sample at home, mail it to a lab anonymously and receive the results over the phone one week later.

And more medications will be in the form of transdermal patches instead of in pill form.

In your dentist’s office, look for the advent of intraoral cameras. This technology--a camera, hand piece and lenses--allows the patient to see what the dentist is doing. According to Dental Products Report, 16% of dentists used intraoral cameras in 1994, up from 7% in 1992. Half of all dentists’ offices are expected to have the cameras by the end of next year.