Technological Advancement In Health Care

617 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Ethical dilemmas in medical technology

The Advancement of Technology and Ethics in Healthcare Technology in healthcare has improved in great ways since initial instruments for the healthcare industry has been introduced. The initial standpoint of physicians and healthcare personnel during the nineteenth century was to remove the cause of symptoms or disorder. Because the goal of physicians and healthcare personnel was to find ways to remove the disorder, this was the leading cause of the advancement and improvement of healthcare technology, especially during the twentieth century (Blanchard, Bronzino, and Enderle, 2005, p. 405). To do so, procedures to getting the test results and diagnostics of the disorder or conditions were crucial. This lead to the discovery of x-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans; today these discoveries have lead to impressive technological advancements such as genetic makeup readings- the Human Genome Project, and …show more content…

From bionic limbs to extremely targeted treatments and forecasts of individuals’ risks for various diseases, healthcare as we know it today is only possible due to vast advances in technology that is changing patients’ lives” (Clark, 2014). Not only does the advancement in technology increase opportunities in developing a good healthcare system, Clark also mentions that the technology advancements have an impact on society and also the relationship established between the patient and healthcare professional. The technological advancement in healthcare strives to be proactive, preventing disorders and conditions as well. A well-known example of proactive steps stated in the article written by Clark, would be the double mastectomy Angelina Jolie underwent in 2013 after her knowledge of carrying the genetic link, BRCA1 (2014). This was possible to find the genetic link because of the Human Genome

Show More
Related

  • HIPAA Act of 1996

    866 Words  | 2 Pages

    There has been some ethical issues surrounding the development and use of technology, that would consist of some advancements, such as “when in vitro fertilization is applied in medical practice and leads to the production of spare embryos, the moral question is what to do with these embryos” (Shi & Singh, 2008, p. 182). As for ethical dilemmas that comes into play with “gene mapping of humans, genetic cloning, stem cell research, and others areas of growing interest to scientist” (Shi & Singh, 2008, p. 182). “Life support technology raises serious ethical issues, especially in medical decisions regarding continuation or cessation of mechanical support, particularly when a patient exists in a permanent vegetative state” (Shi & Singh, 2008, p. 182). Health care budgets are limited throughout this world, making it hard for advancements yet even harder to develop the advancements with restraints. Which brings us back to the “social, ethical, and legal constraints, public and private insurers face the problem deciding whether or not to cover novel treatments” 188. Similarly what was mentioned before the decisions about “new reproductive techniques such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection in vitro fertilization (ICSIIVF), new molecular genetics predictive tests for hereditary breast cancer, and the newer drugs such as sildenafil (Viagra) for sexual dysfunction” (Giacomini, 2005).

    Read More

  • Robert Welch Case Analysis

    1082 Words  | 3 Pages

    Values of caution and knowledge coincide in driving Welch to his conclusion of overdiagnosis due to society’s enthusiasm for everything medical. Welch concludes early on that the benefit of sticking to tried and true forms of healthcare overrides the belief that

    Read More

  • Ethics and Controversies in Medical Experimentation

    860 Words  | 2 Pages

    Patients should have the ability in all situations to decide what happens to their bodies. This should be accompanied by the knowledge of risks associated with any particular procedure. Some physicians may attempt to circumvent this right for personal gain by omitting important information or simply utilizing force. This is where the debate over human experimentation arises. In a more civil setting, some patients don’t have the cognitive capacity to choose what is done with their tissues. In this case, the line of ethics becomes obscure.

    Read More

  • How Technology Has Changed Healthcare

    1700 Words  | 4 Pages

    The health industry has existed ever since doctors bartered for chickens to pay for their services. Computers on the other hand, in their modern form have only existed since the 1940s. So when did technology become a part of health care? The first electronic health record(EHR) programs were created in the 1960s around the same time the Kennedy administration started exploring the validity of such products (Neal, 2013). Between the 1960s and the current administration, there were little to no advancements in the area of EHR despite monumental advancements in software and hardware that are available. While some technology more directly related to care, such as digital radiology, have made strides medical record programs and practice management programs have gained little traction. Physicians have not had a reason or need for complicated, expensive health record suites. This all changed with the introduction of the Meaningful Use program introduced in 2011. Meaningful use is designed to encourage and eventually force the usage of EHR programs. In addition, it mandates basic requirements for EHR software manufactures that which have become fragmented in function and form. The result was in 2001 18 percent of offices used EHR as of 2013 78 percent are using EHR (Chun-Ju Hsiao, 2014). Now that you are caught up on some of the technology in health care let us discuss some major topics that have come up due to recent changes. First, what antiquated technologies is health care are still using, what new tech are they exploring, and then what security problems are we opening up and what is this all costing.

    Read More

  • Frankenstein: "Playing God" - Advancements in Biomedical Techology

    875 Words  | 2 Pages

    The fact that there have been many advancements in biomedical technology over the years have given us the ability to cure and prevent diseases that have once devastated the human population. These breakthroughs have allowed people to live longer and healthier lives, yet others believe that it runs the risk of “playing God” and that such matters should be left into the hands of a higher power. Today, this ethical debate still continues to raise questions on whether these scientific breakthroughs are morally acceptable. While I support the use of scientific breakthroughs, I believe that it should only be used for human benefit to cure those who are suffering from cancer. This approach seems more reasonable than using this technology to choose one’s eye color or keep someone on life support just because it is something that can be done, whether or not that is acceptable or not.

    Read More

  • Medicalization of Sex Addiction: Society's Obsession with Medical Diagnosis

    1257 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...e gap in attitudes between pre-medicalized and modern time periods. The trends of technological advancement and human understanding project a completely medicalized future in which medical authorities cement their place above an intently obedient society.

    Read More

  • Genetic Engineering Essay

    1090 Words  | 3 Pages

    With today’s technology, we are capable of doing countless features such as coming up with new medical innovations to treat diseases and other medical related issues. Since we now

    Read More

  • Technology and Nursing

    1848 Words  | 4 Pages

    The goal of this literature review is to increase our knowledge about technology use in practice and to identify where there is need for improvement. Information technology seems to be a widely discussed topic these days and most nurses have no clear idea how it can transform the way we do things on an every day basis. We will also look at the impact technology has on nursing, patients, and colleagues. We will then focus on a specific nursing setting, in this case the emergency room. This literature review is organized to grow on each independent section so that you, the reader, can form your own opinion, but take with you the universal understanding of how information technology will lead us down a new and exciting career path.

    Read More

  • Human Control Over Nature: The Computer Revolution and Medical Research

    1442 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout history, human beings have struggled to achieve control over nature. Now, in the twentieth century, with all of the scientific advances in computers and medicine, humans have come closer than ever to reaching this ultimate goal. However, along with the benefits of these new and rapidly increasing scientific advancements come moral, ethical and social issues that need to be given consideration. The Computer Revolution has not only vastly improved communication and produced amazing amounts of information, but has raised questions of human rights, privacy and social implications. While medical research has achieved medical benefits not even conceivable in the past, it has also raised major ethical and moral issues. Humans must consider all of these things when making decisions or judgments about human control over nature.

    Read More

  • The Ethical Structure Behind Human Experimentation

    3400 Words  | 7 Pages

    The history of medical research in the twentieth century provides abundant evidence which shows how easy it is to exploit individuals, especially the sick, the weak, and the vulnerable, when the only moral guide for science is a naive utilitarian dedication to the greatest good for the greatest number. Locally administered internal review boards were thought to be a solution to the need for ethical safeguards to protect the human guinea pig. However, with problems surrounding informed consent, the differentiation between experimentation and treatment, and the new advances within medicine, internal review boards were found to be inadequate for the job. This led to the establishment of the National Bioethics Advisory Commission by President Bill Clinton in the hopes of setting clear ethical standards for human research.

    Read More

  • The Benefits of Improved Medical Technology

    1226 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, technology has increased worldwide and affected many aspects of human life. Unarguably, advancements in technology over the years have made our lives easier. Advances in research, diagnosis, and treatment, particularly during the past couple of generations, have significantly contributed to both the length and quality of human life. Medical Technology has improved human health through surgery, diagnostics and the use of information technology in the administration of patient care. From the beginning of time, human life has faced problems with diseases and health care.

    Read More

  • Bioethics Essay

    791 Words  | 2 Pages

    Bioethics is a reflection of controversial moral choices or decisions pertaining to medical and healthcare fields. There have always been ethical standards in healthcare handed down within each profession. Although ethical decisions of the past were followed without question, bioethics today is constantly debated among those in the medical field, the general public, and those in governmental positions. Technological advances within the last century have opened the door to discussion about the ethics surrounding the last medical and technological advances. The decisions are influenced by culture, religion, philosophy, and personal preference. Bioethical decisions are always open for questioning. It is even possible for issues to be ethical during one decade and upon review, deemed unethical several years later. It is the job of the medical community and the public to question these issues, debate them, and accept or reject them. Although there have been hundreds of people who have influenced bioethics through their technological advances, Sir Robert Edwards’ invitro- fertilization techniques have changed the way many women today can become a mother.

    Read More

  • The Future of Medical Science Is Now

    741 Words  | 2 Pages

    The procedures that will be the future of modern medicine currently fall into the realms of taboo and fictional. These procedures encompass every aspect of medical science, from exploration of the human body, curing diseases, to improving a person’s quality of life. Many of these procedures are not very well known, while a few have been in the spotlight. These procedures include cloning, nano-robotics, retro-viruses, and genetic manipulation via gene-specific medications. For any serious breakthroughs in modern medical science, we must embrace these new forms of treatment instead of shying away from them.      Second, I’ll attempt to explain how these methods and procedures could benefit mankind.

    Read More

  • Technology and Medicine

    667 Words  | 2 Pages

    Technology has had a great impact on society when it comes to medicine. Medical technology has been around since the cave man began using rocks as tools to perform trephening. Since then there has been many new advancements in medicine due to technology. From painless needles to robots used for surgeries technology is around to stay.

    Read More

  • Health: A Social Phenomenon

    1783 Words  | 4 Pages

    According to Foucault and Illich (in Van Krieken et al. 2006: 351-352), doctors and the medical profession have traditionally been empowered by their knowledge as the authority that society defers to with regards to the definition of disease and health. With improvements in medical technology as well as the advent of the hospital, an evolution...

    Read More

More about Technological Advancement In Health Care

Open Document