Impact of Medical Technology on the Practice of Medicine

“Medical technology is a broad field where innovation plays a crucial role in the delivery of health care³.” These technologies are evolving at an extraordinary rate, with new technologies being created and existing technologies being improved¹. “Innovation and advancement in medical technology are the backbone of modern medicine and have led to life-changing treatments and cure for patients around the globe,” says JC Scott. It is also transforming the way healthcare information is accessed and communicated. Who speaks of technology does not always speak of machine but also about the way things are looked, thought and processed. This section presents a review of the impact new technologies have on the practice of medicine today.

The most significant influences technologies have had in medicine extend from better diagnostic, therapeutic, surgical procedures to conceptual diagnostics. Technology has reduced the rate of morbidity and mortality from medical errors by providing electronic prescriptions that allow physicians to know if there are interactions between drugs or drug to food ⁴. Some of these equipment also provide information on physician profiling and disease management by monitoring and assessing the care delivered to every patient⁴.

Because of these technologies, everything changed; from our way of life, how we conceive and do work to how we interact with others and socialize². Technology has changed human behavior. These societal transformations are accelerating since the influx of the web “that allows users to interact not only with the content of the pages but also between them².”

In the healthcare industry, the web has actively contributed to the advancement of technology by providing tens of thousands of animations and extracts of conferences². People also research their medical issues by looking up the causes and symptoms, treatments and potential remedies. These new possibilities empower them to become proactive in the decision-making process regarding their own health. Furthermore, healthcare facilities are improving the quality and coordination of care delivery through social media by establishing contact with patients, answering questions about practices, launching public awareness campaigns, and performing community outreach.

The area most impacted by technology is undeniably information, which has made significant contributions in the medical industry. For instance, nurses and doctors routinely use electronic medical records, telehealth services, and mobile technologies such as tablets and smartphones to record a patient’s medical history or check the correct treatment to be administered². Some medical technologies such as telecommunications or telemedicine allow patients-to-doctors and specialists-to-specialists interactions thousands of miles without having to leave their geographic location and provide instantaneous obtainment of health information without needing access to a more equipped hospital⁴.
Technological innovation in the field of medicine is continuing to provide specialist with new ways to delivered quality care to their patient and contribute to the betterment of healthcare around the globe.

Works Cited

1. Evans, J. T. (n.d.). DEVELOPING A DECISION MODEL IN THE CONTEXT OF MEDICAL. The Ohio State University, 1-26.
2. Karsenti, T., & Charlin, B. (2010). Analyse des impacts des technologies de l’information et de la communication sur l’enseignement et la pratique de la médecine. Société Internationale Francophone d’Education Médicale, 124-141.
3. Rahman, Z., & Shaily, S. A. (2016). CRITICAL FACTORS THAT IMPACT INTERNATIONAL FIRMS TO RAISE THE QUALITY OF SERVICE IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY OF BANGLADESH. American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology and Science, 193-211.
4. Tan, L., & Ong, K. (2002). The impact of medical technology on healthcare today. Hong Kong Journal of Emergency Medicine, 231-236.
5. JC Scott, senior executive vice president, government affairs, for the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed)