In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, former National Coordinator David Blumenthal, MD, conjures a vision of connected healthcare in 2030. He notes, however, that "this future won’t materialize unless some problems are solved along the way."

Writing on WSJ.com, Blumenthal puts forth three technology-enabled scenarios that could soon become routine, from home-based remote monitoring sensors that could detect deterioration in an elderly relative to a smartphone app that could forecast the risk of a heart attack.

"These stories illustrate how new health information technologies could revolutionize the quality and convenience of health-care services, while also lowering their costs," he writes. "With the rapid spread of electronic health records, much critical health data is already digitized. Pretty soon, all that information will be stored in the cloud in personal health records that are accessible 24/7. Computerized algorithms will empower individuals to make rapid, sound decisions about their own health and health care. Tele-medicine will enable round-the-clock consults with health professionals standing by to take your call."

However, that exciting future "won’t materialize unless some problems are solved along the way," Blumenthal argues -- most critically those related to security and interoperability.

Read the full post here.