Prof. Robert H. Friedman

Biography:

Robert H. Friedman, M.D. is Professor of Medicine and Public Health at Boston University and Boston Medical Center in the U.S.A. He is Chief of the Medical Information Systems Unit in the Department of Medicine of these institutions where he directs a research group of 39 individuals. His laboratory is considered one of the leaders in the world in the useful application of computer and telecommunications technology to the direct delivery of health services that emulate care provided by health professionals. His research is at the interface between information technology and clinical medicine/public health and is focused on design and evaluation of totally automated systems that deliver health and human services, helping health professionals, patients and consumers. These systems promote health behaviors that reduce the risk of disease, help patients cope with chronic disease and take care of themselves, monitor the disease status of patients with chronic disease, and facilitate optimal care by their health providers. Evaluation of these systems have demonstrated clinical efficacy and both patient and provider acceptance and satisfaction.