Technology in Medicine

I think technology is extremely beneficial in the field of medicine. It is not only irreplaceable in diagnosing and treating patients' illnesses and ailments, but also learning about different diseases and different methods of treatments. X-ray, MRI, CT scan, ultrasound, and EKG are a just a few examples of the technology that aids doctors in their treatment of sick or hurt individuals. Surgery has also become very dependent on technology. All surgeries used to require a large incision made wherever that surgery is taking place, however now many surgeries can be done laparoscopically, which only requires a few tiny incisions in the area. This technology is great for the patients, because the recovery time is much shorter.

After working in a hospital for a couple summers, I was able to witness the everyday technologies that doctors utilize. After a doctor sees a patient they will voice record their notes to be later transcribed into a computer system. This is helpful, because the doctors will then have a full patient history in one place instead of on papers that could get lost. Hospitals are moving away from patient charts that doctors write in, and moving toward electronic charting. This means that the middle man can be eliminated in the hospital and doctors can enter orders for tests that they want their patient to have directly into the computer system instead of writing the orders for someone else to enter into the computer system. Even in normal doctors offices today, the doctors and nurses carry portable computer screens that have all the patient's information on them instead of papers. This technology is great because it consolidates years and years of patient information into one system.

Overall, technology in medicine is irreplaceable. Without the technology that is used today, doctors could not help the ill in the ways that they are capable of. With the help of technology, doctors will continue discovering new diseases, and finding new cures.