Making the future of healthcare

Our healthcare services face radical changes. We are in the middle of the "third healthcare revolution'', driven by patients, information technology, and knowledge. Attitudes are changing with a revolution called "consumerism'', characterized by expectations for better healthcare and more transparent decision-making. As knowledge-based authority becomes increasingly important, knowledge management will be a major respon-sibility of healthcare management in the 21st century, and the ongoing information technology revolution will enable efficient knowledge communication to clinicians and patients. As professionals usually lag 1-2 decades behind the "Zeitgeist'', the challenge is to adapt to the revolution and help shape the healthcare services of the future.