Newspapers / InterCom (Durham, N.C.) / Dec. 1, 1964, edition 1 / Page 3
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Duke University Medical Center, InterGom Page 3 PDC Gets Breathing Space Computer Potential Examined A group of distinguished scientists gathered at Duke University Novem ber 17-20 to explore the impact of computers on man’s intellectual cap abilities and the potential usefulness of computer technology in many fields. Entitled “The Computer and the Mind of Man,” the symposium explored computer potential in such fields as medicine, education, the social sciences, the information sci ences, biology and physics. Many experts believe that the “computer revolution” is still in its infancy. While the marvelous ma chines are sometimes characterized by the public as monstrous electronic wizards capable, perhaps, of replac ing the human intellect, they really provide man with a uni(|ue tool to extend his intelligence much as nu clear energy j)rovided man with an extension of his power. Such in triguing possibilities were suggested as a national repository for rare books which could then be recpiested and read with electronic ecjuipment in one’s own library carrel. The symposium was opened by Dean William G. Anlyan. The fea tured speakers, and their topics, were: Dr. James Miller, director, ilental Health Research Institute, T’niversity of Michigan, “The C'om- puter Era in Education”; Dr. Fred erick J. Moore, senior staff adviser for medical records systems. Ad vanced Systems Development Divis ion, IBM, “The Computer and the Physician”; Dr. Ralph Stacy, pro fessor of biomathematics, X. C. State College, “The Computer and the Bi ologist”; and Dr. Fred Brooks, Jr., chairman, Dej)artment of Informa tion Sciences, University of North Carolina, “The Computer and the rnformation Sciences. ’ ’ Also Dr. Eric Marler, associate in medicine and biochemistry, Duke, “The Computer and the Mind of Man”; Dr. Howard K. Thompson, as sociate in medicine, Duke, “Com puter Facilities at Duke University”; Dr. Earle C. Fowler, professor of In the seven years since PDC moved into the “ ’57 addition,” its volume of business has more than doubled. This reflects both the more highly specialized (juality of patient care and the burgeoning of health insurance. Many patients now have not one health insurance policy but several, and this has greatly increased the over-all business load. Space which seemed adecjuate when the 1957 addition was [)lanned was out grown almost at once. Expansion into an adjacent light court has given both the Medical and Surgical Divisions of the Private Di agnostic Clinic much needed breath ing space and elbow' room. A neces sary by-product of closing in the court was air-conditioning of the em ployees’ dining room. In the plan ning stage two years, construction began in February and is now virtu ally complete. The new’ “breathing space” contributes to efficiency, com fort and morale. The Surgical Division has used the light court to gain a net increase of nine examining rooms and extra storage closets. All examining rooms have been standardized so that any member of any surgical service can use any examining room and find it e(iuipped for his needs. The new area, located away from the main hospital corridor, is quieter. The new examining rooms are grouped around a central hall einipj)ed with desks for staff members. The central hall with beige walls and floor is brightened by tangerine U])holstery on the desk chairs. The examining rooms have chairs in green, blue, beige or brown and built-in desks to])ped with formica to match the chairs. Each examining room has an intercom, an enunciator and an x-i-ay view box. For the Medical Division the court yard expansion w’ith its 1700 s(|uare feet of additional space (plus reno vation of adjacent areas) provides more adequate administrative, secre tarial and accounting sj)ace and re lieves congestion throughout the busi ness section, particularly in the ])atient-processing area. A visitor to the expanded area is impressed with the attention to de tail and ingenious utilization of ex isting advantages. The window wells in the old walls have been converted into storage closets. A nucrofilm reader and dictating machine are side by side, so notes can be dictated as the films are read. Similarly, copy ing machines, a calculator and auto matic letter opener are adjacent to one another. New computer equi])- nient is being installed in a special room adjacent to the large, well- lighted accounting area. Floor to ceiling carpeting of the walls in the computer room provides uni(|ue acoustical treatment. Individual lockers for ])ersonnel have been in stalled. An attractive coffee loung(> w'hich can accommodate six to eight persons is centrally located so per sonnel can be contacted readily if needed. On the lighter side, oj)en the built-in cabinets and there—rem iniscent of the barber shop of grand father’s day—are rows of coffee mugs, each with the name of its owner imprinted on it. An examin ing room ■which had been j>ressed into service for “coffee breaks” has been renovated and returned to its original use. In the office of the Business Manager it was ])ossible to presei've one courtyard wall so the stone of the canijjus buildings has been brought indoors. The adminis trative and secretarial areas are deco rated in soft greens, blues and Span ish gold. Busy as they are, the girls w'elcome an o])portunity to give you the deluxe tour. physics, Duke, “The Computer and Economics and Business Administra- the Physicist”; Dr. Thomas Naylor, tion, Duke, “The Computer and the assistant professor, Department of Social Scientist.”
InterCom (Durham, N.C.)
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Dec. 1, 1964, edition 1
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