Undoubtedly, technology is a wonderful tool which is used to facilitate studying in almost every field. But its contribution to medical science is substantial.
Since last twenty years, a significant amount of change is observed in medical education and practice due to the increased usage of both information and communication technology. The methods used for teaching has drastically improved and as a result, students’ learning abilities has evolved. Medical colleges and universities especially in developed countries have spent large sums of money to introduce latest technologies in their institutes and have embraced the technological revolution with open arms.
PATIENTS BECOMING INCREASINGLY INFORMED
There are several ways in which technology has enhanced the medical educational system. With the advent of information technology, the medical industry is now approachable by anyone having access to the internet. Medical problems are now comprehended more easily by patients by using ICT (Information Communications Technology). Not only this, but they can also give ratings to their doctors according to their experiences, they can raise questions on the methods used in their treatments and most importantly they can catch medical malpractice which is a result of negligence by doctors during treatment which could cause death or severe injury. Normal people are becoming more and more aware and informed about health care and risks related to the field of medicine. Hence, physicians should be ready and not get surprised to meet patients who already have quite a lot of idea about their disease and what is the best option to treat it.
INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGY IN MEDICINE IS GROWING WITH EVER INCREASING PACE
The medical education is influenced by technology since forty years now. As technology is progressing and expanding so fast, it is getting more and more involved in medical education. The medical field is installed with ever increasing variations since the advent of technology.
TRANSITION FROM PAPER BASED TO COMPUTER BASED STORAGE
Computer technology has simplified saving and re-accessing large volumes of data whenever required. This was a very risky task before the introduction of this technology and had to be carried out with extreme caution and care. Furthermore, it has allowed execution of statistical analysis and has made medical education approachable by anyone who wants to and can study on their own. There are so many search engines available on the internet which keeps a record of a vast amount of medical information data all gathered up at a single place.
E-books, which are available free of cost, have replaced paper-based books and have rid the need of buying extremely expensive medical books. Other than that, as e-books are just a click away, the traveling expenses and efforts are also cut short. Some e-books which are not free have to be purchased but they are still worth it as they are provided to us instantaneously so in circumstances where there is an urgent need for a certain book but that book is not easily available or short in the market, then e-books are there to assist you.
From last ten years, the application of simulation in medicine has become widely accepted and made use of by the medical industry. It assists physicians in getting prepared beforehand for carrying out critical operations where lives are at high risks. Also, it helps in practicing difficult and sensitive circumstances which arise during operations. These simulators are designed especially for procedures which they come across very scarcely like cricothyrotomy so that the physicians get polished and do not feel any kind of hesitance while encountering them in reality. It thus minimizes any chances of errors.
Technology is undoubtedly the driving force behind developments made in medicine. With the help of it, more and more diseases which were previously claimed as incurable, are now able to be treated with medicines and some diseases are completely eradicated. The selection of the best method to treat a certain disease is aided by the use of genome sequencing, bio sons, Rs and many more technical devices. Virtual meeting with doctors is now highly trending and coming in great use for rural civilizations that are deprived of quality health services. Also, this saves the up substantial amount of money spent otherwise per visit to the doctor’s clinic. Patients suffering from heart diseases use pace makers as a tool to remotely monitor their health.
James Thomason is the author of this article. He is masters in IT and is also a public health researcher and writer at custom essay writing service. He has donated significant amount of time and hard work in addressing problems regarding health issues.