short essay about medical technology

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• Medical Technology Essays

Medical Technology Essays (Examples)

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Technology-Associated Medical Errors Medical Technology and Patient

Technology-Associated Medical Errors Medical Technology and Patient Safety Advances in medical technology can be a double-edged sword, according to the numerous research findings discussed by Powell-Cope and colleagues (2008). On the one hand improved technology can prevent adverse events from happening, thereby reducing the prevalence of medical errors, but the introduction of new technology into a clinical setting can create unintended consequences as well, including patient harm. The main factors controlling the efficacy of medical technology discussed by the authors were organizational, social, and environmental. Organizational factors that influence the success of technology implementation include organizational policies, culture, and resources (Powell-Cope, Nelson, & Patterson, 2008). One of the examples discussed was an increase in pediatric mortality following hospital-wide implementation of a computerized physician order entry (CPOE) system. Shock was the strongest predictor of mortality in the Pittsburgh pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) study, but the second strongest predictor was use of the CPOE…...

mla References Longhurst, C.A., Parast, L., Sandborg, C.I., Widen, E., Sullivan, J., Hahn, J.S. et al. (2010). Decrease in hospital-wide mortality rate after implementation of a commercially sold computerized physician order entry system. Pediatrics, 126(1), 14-21. Powell-Cope, G., Nelson, A.L., & Patterson, E.S. (2008). Patient care technology and Safety. In R.G. Hughes (ed.), Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses (pp. 3-207 -- 3-220). Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Retrieved from:   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2686/ . Yong, Y.H., Carcillo, J.A., Venkataraman, S.T., Clark, R.S.B., Watson, R.S., Nguyen, T.C. et al. (2005). Unexpected increased mortality after implementation of a commercially sold computerized physician order entry system. Pediatrics, 116 (6), 1506-1512.

U S Medical Technology Industry's Interest in Japan

U.S. Medical Technology Industry's Interest in Japan Market share and sustainable growth are the primarily interests the United States has in Japan. With its aging population and subsequently higher medical costs the U.S. intends to position itself as a worldwide power within the medical technology arena. With only marginal growth in the past, the U.S. medical technology industry needed to acquire a viable option that would provide sustainable long-term growth. Japan was a prime target due in part to its lagging and outdated medical technology and stagnant economic growth prospects. In addition, the Japanese medical technology market is the second largest market in the world with sales of roughly $15 Billion. Even more intriguing is that rapid growth of 11% annually in Japan. By positioning itself within the Japanese market, the United States could provide Japan with a broad away of medical devices that would better service the Japanese community.…...

Biomedical Technology the Field of

The end result is that biomedical technology is an area of science and research that is of greater benefit to all of mankind, which helps to ease of suffering for human beings worldwide. While many argue that certain advances in biomedical technology verge on the science fiction creation of some human clone cyborg hybrid, this is not an unusual reaction. Great change is always accompanied by fear. Stock has an interesting thought experiment that brings this point home: If hunter-gatherers imagined living in New York City, they would say that they could no longer be human in such a place, that this wouldn't be a human way of living Yet, today most of us look at this as not only a human way of life, but great improvement over hunting and gathering. I think it will be the same way with the changes that occur as we begin to alter our…...

mla References Andreasen, N.C. (2003). Brave New Brain: Conquering Mental Illness in the Era of the Genome. New York: Oxford University Press. Blackford, R. (2006). Dr. Frankenstein Meets Lord Devlin: Genetic Engineering and the Principle of Intangible Harm. The Monist, 89(4), 526 Collins, S.W. (2004). The Race to Commercialize Biotechnology: Molecules, Markets, and the State in the United States and Japan. New York: RoutledgeCurzon. Death. (2007). In the Columbia Encyclopedia (6th ed.). New York: Columbia University Press.

Technology and Healthcare Demographics of the Global

Technology and Healthcare Demographics of the global community are rapidly changing so that each year there are more and more seniors within the population base. This has a profound implication on the healthcare system of many regions since a large number of elderly citizens will be spending their lives in the confines of their home, and some may have chronic illness that require continuous monitoring. Clinical telemedicine is one way to offer greater services to rural or homebound populations. Indeed, a variety of technological advances have made it possible to change the paradigm of healthcare. Clinical information systems, for instance, have expanded in scope and depth. Increased processor speeds and data storage devices have made it possible to collect more data than ever on the detailed encounters that make up the provider-patient care delivery process, and present it more effectively to a wider range of users. Healthcare monitoring is part of…...

mla Luppicini, R. And R. Adell, eds., (2008). Handbook of Research on Technoethics. New York: Information Science Publishing Company. Teo, T., et.al. (2008). "Wireless Healthcare Monitoring Systems. World Academy Of Science, Engineering, and Technology. 42 (1: Retrieved from:   http://www.waset.org/journals/waset/v42/v42-98.pdf

Technology Is the Technical Means That People

Technology is the technical means that people use, to improve their surroundings. It is also knowledge of using tools and machines to do tasks efficiently. We use technology to control the world in which we live. Technology is people using knowledge, tools and systems to make their lives easier and better. As the old saying, "Necessity is the mother of all inventions." People use technology to improve their ability to do work. Through technology, people can do things twice as fast and twice more efficient than people did a century ago. Technology helps people to cope with our ever-growing population, so that everyone may have enough food to feed him or herself and satisfy there needs. Technology gives us larger possibilities by giving us ideas that we haven't thought about in the past. It further enhances our perspective in the things we do and makes simpler solutions in the problems we…...

mla References "Definition of Technology." Definition of Technology. Bergen.org. 7 May 2005 . 'Effects of Technology." Midtermpapers. 2004. Midterm Papers. 6 May 2005 .

Technology as Compared to Science

Many things we take for granted in modern life are the result of the Industrial Revolution. We no longer have to sew our own clothes, make everything we eat from scratch, and we have access to a greater array of cheap consumer goods. People no longer have to work from sundown to sunup, farming for food, sewing, weaving, and fighting to stay alive. We now have greater leisure time, but also the things we produce during our work life are no longer our 'own,' in contrast to an agrarian societies where people own the food they produce on their lands, and make only the clothing and things they need to survive. We receive wages for the goods and services we provide to strangers. Instead, what we do at work is often very different than how we pursue in our private lives-one reason that the Industrial Revolution is often said to have created private life. Discussion 2 The rise of cities during the Industrial…...

Technology and Death Policy Redefining

Discussion about Brain Death and Cerebral Definitions It has been researched that the human brain collapses at prior to the cessation of the human organs; the collapse of the human brain is attributed to the elimination of the large numbers of redundant neurons, and the aging process i.e. The gradual loss of sensory capacities. It has been reported that the visual acuity decline on linear basis between the age limit of 20-60, and soon after sixty the declination of the visual acuity is exponential. By the age of 45, the depth perception is reported declination in accelerated manner, and the speech comprehension is expected to get affect after the age of 80 due to the quarter loss of the extensive neurons in the superior temporal gyrus of the auditory cortex. The research has observed that significant decrease in the neuron density is expected, as a result of the aging process. The…...

mla References Robert H. Blank. Technology and Death Policy: Redefining Death. Department of Government, Brunel University. 2001. Peter Monaghan. The Unsettled Question of Brain Death. The Chronicle of Higher Education Vol. 48, Issue, 24. 2002.

Technology Nursing

Nursing Technology is crucial for healthcare delivery. Healthcare technologies range from those directly related to medical care interventions, namely medical technologies, and technologies that support and enhance care delivery and administration. It is the latter sector that healthcare leader and hospital administrator Jane Doe Francis became interested in after attending a seminar in 2008 on emerging technologies. The seminar inspired Francis to explore the different types of healthcare information technologies, informatics, and options for making administration more efficient, more effective, and error-free. Digital medical records became Francis's passion, and she has spoken about the importance of creating technology standards for American healthcare institutions. Consistency and reliability, as well as confidentiality and privacy, are key concerns for Francis and her colleagues in hospital administration. Currently, Francis is involved with a massive push toward cloud-based medical technologies that go beyond the electronic medical records database to include connectivity with medical technologies themselves and…...

mla References Carr, D.F. (2015). UPMC: New leaders, same big health tech ambitions. Information Week. Retrieved online:   http://www.informationweek.com/healthcare/leadership/upmc-new-leaders-same-big-health-tech-ambitions/d/d-id/1318430  Francis, J.D. (2015). Interview. Leung, S. (2015). Mass. Business leaders bet on health care tech. The Boston Globe. 4 Feb 2015. Retrieved online:   http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/02/03/leung/PKOkXUsTSyG3tKGRwvZXnK/story.html

History of Medical Technology

Technology and the Development of Modern Medicine The 20th century saw a seismic change in the perception of the human body, and the relationship of patients to physicians and other aspects of modern medicine. With the recent coronavirus pandemic, of course, the focus upon technology and medical developments has become a matter of global importance. Vaccines and innovative drugs were not solely innovations of the past century, but they extent to which they were proven safe and effective is relatively new. The relationship between providers and patients has likewise changed, as well as expectations about treatment. Vaccination and Immunization Technology Infectious disease was once an accepted part of modern life. However, the first smallpox vaccines were developed as early as the late 18th century. Safety of vaccines could not always be guaranteed, however. Inactivation of bacteria via heat or chemical treatment to confer immunity status was developed by the very end of the…...

mla Works Cited Earl, Leslie. “How Sulfa Drugs Work.” National Institute of Health. March 12, 2012. Web. December 20, 2020. drugs-work Gaynes, Robert. “The Discovery of Penicillin—New Insights After More Than 75 Years of Clinical Use.” Emerging Infectious Diseases vol. 23, 5 (2017): 849–853. Web. December 20, 2020.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5403050/  Palca, Joe. “The Race For A Polio Vaccine Differed From The Quest To Prevent Coronavirus.” NPR. May 22, 2020. Web. December 20, 2020.  https://www.npr.org/sections/health - shots/2020/05/22/860789014/the-race-for-a-polio-vaccine-differed-from-the-quest-to- prevent-coronavirus Plotkin, Stanley. “History of vaccination.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America vol. 111, 34 (2014): 12283-7. December 20, 2020. Web.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4151719/pdf/pnas.201400472.pdf  Quianzon, Celeste C, and Issam Cheikh. “History of Insulin.” Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives, vol. 2, 2 10.3402/jchimp.v2i2.18701. July 16, 2012. Web. December 2020.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3714061/  https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-sulfa-

Technology Evolution Many of the Electric Gadgets

Technology Evolution Many of the electric gadgets we use today like the cell phones and the home computers were invented in the 80s. Many multinational corporations came into existence in the 80s this spur the growth to a record 3.2% per year (Bellis, 2012). This was the highest nine-year rate in American history. This was occasioned by a number of factors some of which were economic, financial, legislative, and regulatory frameworks. This unprecedented growth led to failure of a number of banking institutions. From these failures, a term "corporate greed" was coined. This essay seeks to enumerate how technology advanced in the 80s (Coppens, 2012). In 1980, Hepatitis B Vaccine was invented by Baruch Blumberg. This research physician discovered an antigen that provoked antibody response against Hepatitis B Other took queue from this discovery to develop a vaccine against this viral hepatitis. Baruch together with Irving Millman invented a vaccine against viral…...

mla References Bellis, M. (2012). The 80s -- the technology, science, and innovations. Retrieved October 3, 2012 from   http://inventors.about.com/od/timelines/a/modern_4.htm  Coppens, T. (2012). Major Inventions Timelines: 20th Century. Retrieved October 3, 2012 from   http://teresacoppens.hubpages.com/hub/Major-Inventions-Timeline-20th-and-21st - Centuries Kotelinkova, S. (2012). History of Genetic Engineering. Retrieved October 3, 2012 from http://sgugenetics.pbworks.com/w/page/47775520/The%20History%20of%20Genetic%2

Technologies Impact on Healthcare Level

This is necessary to provide a seamless platform on which health solutions can be effectively integrated and deployed. Without using such a platform, the development of electronic health care facilities will be more difficult to deploy. In other words, Tele-health is part of the overall healthcare ICT (Information Communications Technology) solutions that enables healthcare to be pushed out to the edge, for local delivery, and to be more evenly, efficiently and effectively distributed. Broadband communication is the underlying technology of choice when discussing electronic applications. It is certainly important for inter-healthcare provider communications delivering sufficient bandwidth capacity between sites. The delivery of home care electronic should not rely on the broadband technology is not universally accessible, particularly in rural and remote areas, and it can also be prohibitively expensive. Some broadband technologies can be delivered to remote locations, such as satellite-based technology, but this is impractical and too costly to…...

mla References Goldberg, a. (2002, April 29). Internal Report: Telehealth, Privacy, & Health Care: Review, Expectations & Proposals. Goulston & Storrs, Boston, MA. Lovata, F. (2000, May 21-24). Telemedicine via the Internet: Successful Program Strategies. American Telemedicine Association Conference, Puskin, D., Mintzer, C., & Wasem, C. (1997). Chapter 14, Telemedicine: Building Rural Systems for Today and Tomorrow. In P. Brennan, S. Schneider, & E. Tornquist (Eds.), Information Networks for Community Health. (p. 276). Computers in Health Care Series. Springer-Verlag. Telecommunications: Protecting the Forgotten Frontier. (2001, August). SC Magazine-Info Security News, 12 (8), 36-40.

Technology in Nursing History of

(Nursing profession studied) This is clearly not very high, and there does not seem to be a high impact of the change in technology on nurses and their employment. This leads to a dichotomy in the view about nurses - they are viewed as targets of change rather than the force which leads to changes through proposals, leadership and implementation. This often causes them difficulty in carrying on with their jobs when there are rapid changes within the organization. To save their own position, it is important that nurses learn about change theory, change strategies and methods of anticipation and managing change. This may take place in organizations which wants to change its staff mix so that it can save on costs through inclusion of more unlicensed assistive personnel. These personnel will generally try to maintain their position through direct assertion, but there have to be an analysis of the…...

mla References Barnard, Alan; Gerber, Rod. (September 1999) "Understanding Technology in Contemporary Surgical Nursing: A Phenomenographic Examination" Nursing Inquiry. Vol: 6; No: 3; p. 157. Barnard, Alan. (May 2000) "Alteration to Will as an Experience of Technology and Nursing"

Medical Home Model and Health Disparity Nursing

Medical Home Model and Health Disparity Nursing esearch Proposal The Impact of the Medical Home Model on Health Disparities The Impact of the Medical Home Model on Healthcare Disparity Medical homes are primary care practices where a physician or NP establishes a long-term care relationship with patients and provide patient/family-centered, coordinated, and culturally-sensitive care (AANP, n.d.; Strickland, Jones, Ghandour, Kogan, & Newacheck, 2011). The benefits include improved healthcare access, quality, and safety. A number of states have enacted statutes supporting the medical home model after research findings revealed health disparities for racial and ethnic minorities were reduced (NCSL, 2013). As a nurse practitioner I am interested in how effective a medical home model would be in reducing healthcare disparities, especially for racial and ethnic minority children residing in underserved communities. Nurse practitioners have traditionally practiced in underserved communities and will continue to do so; therefore, any strategy that could improve the quality of care with…...

mla References AANP (American Association of Nurse Practitioners). (n.d.). Medicare legislation: Fact sheet: The medical home -- What is it? How do nurse practitioners fit in? Retrieved from:   http://www.aanp.org/legislation-regulation/federal-legislation/medicare/68-articles/349-the-medical-home . Abrams, M., Nuzum, R., Mika, S., & Lawlor, G. (2011). Realizing health reform's potential: How the Affordable Care Act will strengthen primary care and benefit patients, providers, and payers. The Commonwealth Fund. Retrieved from:   http://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/media/Files/Publications/Issue%20Brief/2011/Jan/1466_Abrams_how_ACA_will_strengthen_primary_care_reform_brief_v3.pdf . NCSL. (2013). Health disparities: State laws. Retrieved from:   http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/health-disparities-laws.aspx . Strickland, B.B., Jones, J.R., Ghandour, R.M., Kogan, M.D., & Newacheck, P.W. (2011). The medical home: Health care access and impact for children and youth in the United States. Pediatrics, 127(4), 604-11.

Technology -- Blessing or Curse

Response Yes, technology generates problems, and it is shrewd and apt to point out that for every net gain to certain members of society via technology there is a net loss. The hand weavers of the 18th century were put out of business by 19th century factories that could manufacture clothing cheaply, computers have probably collectively caused the art of calligraphy to die, and made even professional writers overly reliant on spell check and less willing to rewrite their work from scratch. However, would any of the authors included in the collection summarized in the essay really wish to go back to a world without antibiotics? Technology has enabled people whose vision would be a blur to see with 20/20 perfection, and made travel financially accessible to millions who would have been relegated to the narrow point-of-view of their homes. hile it is easy to find detriments to these benefits (exploitations…...

mla Works Cited Vaidhyanathan, Siva. Rewiring the "Nation": The Place of Technology in American Studies. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press, 2007.

Technology Blessing or Curse

Technology: Blessing or Curse? Imagine studying machinery that is becoming smaller and smaller every day. What will one discover? This is a hot topic that is on a lot of individuals mind in our society today. People are curious about how it is evolving, and ways to stay current with it. One will discuss whether or not this is a blessing or a curse for technology. According to a recent study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, 25% of respondents felt that their family today is closer than their family when they were growing up, thanks to the use of the Internet and cell phones. Only 11% felt technology had made them less close (Ahmad, 2011). Another study that is worth mentioning in regards to technology. "The Pew study also reported that busy, tech-using families-who are more likely to be dual income households work longer hours-are less likely to share meals"…...

mla For example, when looking at each location, one will notice that there are significant differences in how it is done on a daily basis, especially with technology. This is the case when it comes to individuals who do have insurances vs. those who do not. Much could get said about this particular set-up in the United Statse because of the lack of consistency (Dale, 1999). In Boston as well as New Haven care is considered excellent with their technology and services (Far To Here, 2009). The people there do not question the quality provided to them; however, medicare patients located in Boston is twice as much compared to that of New Haven. Despite the cost differnce, not much is diverse about the outcomes of the matter with the patient (Hailpern & P., 2006). This demonstrates that those in New Haven are deprived good healthcare, but this is not the case (Greystone, 2010). The upscale spending patterns begin at the primary-care level. Primary-care physicians in high-spending areas are more likely to make specialist referrals, order more expensive diagnostic tests (even with minimal potential value), and recommend more-frequent return visits. Even within a single region (and controlling for patient illness characteristics), doctors'

Need help generating essay topics related to Medical Equipment. Can you help?

Medical Equipment: Innovation, Advancements, and Impact on Healthcare 1. The Evolution of Medical Technology: A Historical Perspective - Trace the historical evolution of medical equipment, from simple tools to sophisticated devices. - Analyze the impact of technological advancements on medical practices and patient outcomes. 2. Innovation in Medical Equipment Design: From Concept to Commercialization - Explore the design process of medical equipment, from initial idea to product launch. - Discuss the challenges and considerations in designing safe, effective, and user-friendly devices. 3. The Regulatory Landscape of Medical Equipment: Balancing Innovation and Safety - Analyze the regulatory frameworks governing the development and marketing of....

Can you provide guidance on how to outline an essay focusing on The Upsides and Downsides of Fertility Treatments ?

I. Introduction A. Definition of fertility treatments B. Thesis statement: Fertility treatments have both positive and negative implications for individuals and society. II. The Upsides of Fertility Treatments A. Increased chances of conceiving for individuals struggling with infertility B. Opportunity for LGBTQ+ couples and single individuals to start families C. Advancements in medical technology and research III. The Downsides of Fertility Treatments A. Financial burden for individuals and families B. Physical and emotional toll on individuals undergoing treatment C. Ethical concerns surrounding the use of assisted reproductive technologies IV. Effects on Society A. Changing family dynamics and societal norms B. Economic implications of....

Can you help me come up with titles for my essay about The integration of forensic examination into imageology in reference to State vs. Goylar?

1. The Fusion of Forensic Examination and Imageology: A Critical Analysis in the Context of State v. Goylar 2. Forensic Imageology: Unlocking the Hidden Truths in State v. Goylar 3. The Intersection of Forensic Science and Medical Imaging: The Case of State v. Goylar 4. Imageology as a Forensic Instrument: Examining State v. Goylar 5. The Emergence of Forensic Imageology: Insights from State v. Goylar 6. The Role of Imageology in Forensic Investigations: A Case Study of State v. Goylar 7. Advancing Forensic Examination through Imageology: The Significance of State v. Goylar 8. Forensic Imageology in the Courtroom: A Review of State v. Goylar 9. The Integration of....

In what ways can technology both enhance and hinder societal progress according to your thesis analysis?

Technology's Dual Impact on Societal Progress Technology, an indispensable tool that has shaped human civilization, exerts a profound influence on societies worldwide. Its transformative powers can both accelerate progress and create obstacles in various domains. Enhancements to Societal Progress 1. Innovation and Productivity: Technology fuels innovation by providing new tools and platforms for research and development. Advanced machinery, artificial intelligence, and data analytics empower businesses and individuals to create groundbreaking products and services. Increased productivity boosts economic growth and improves living standards. 2. Accessibility to Information: The internet and digital technologies democratize access to information. Individuals can now effortlessly acquire knowledge, share ideas, and connect with....

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Essay On Medical Technology

Heads or tails Medical technology is a broad field where innovations plays a crucial role in the delivery of healthcare. These technologies are evolving at an immensely fast rate, with creating new technologies and updating old technologies. Medical technology is used for Pharmaceutical, equipment such as X-Ray, devices, and medical and surgical procedures. With the help of well-developed technologies, it leads us to have life-changing treatments and cure for patients around the world, however; as a coin have two faces, medical technology also carries both positive and negatives effects. The most effective influences medical technologies have had in medicine extend from better surgical procedure and diagnostic to conceptual diagnostic. …show more content…

These devices not only bring out cure but contributes into the economy by bringing in billions of dollars. It also has opened thousands of doors for new and innovative non-invasive procedures. Diagnostics have never been easier and more precise. Numerous methods of imaging such as MRI and X-Ray help technicians and physicians invade into one’s anatomy without using invasive procedures. The digital transition has improved health care services; it has created easier collaboration between patient and physician. Telemedicine, for example, can be given to patients in need without moving from a certain geographic area, by using electronic records of the patients. Furthermore, technological innovation in medicine helps specialists to conduct better and quality care to their patients and improve health care around the globe. As the advancement of medical technology puts light into plenty of diseases, it also comes with a dark side. Using new and innovative technologies help patients to be treated without using invasive procedure and cure from one end of the world to another. However, these technologies spread out the negative side effects in peoples’ lives. As these devices keep privacy of a patient, it can also be taken away from them using

Ingenium Telehealth Consultants: A Case Study

With the uberization of healthcare and telehealth we often feel overwhelmed by the push for telehealth. As independent advisors, Ingenium Telehealth Consultants will work with you to determine which services will be successful, appropriate and the best way to integrate technology into the care delivery processes. Several benefits have been identified as a result of telehealth services being introduced. Increase the accessibility of and to professional caregivers Increase the quality and continuity of care to patients Increase the focus on preventive medicine through early intervention Reduce the overall cost of healthcare Education and training Contrary to vendor solutions, one size does not fit all.

The Pros And Cons Of Sonography

Technology is an ever-growing industry which has become a factor in nearly everyone’s daily schedule in one way or another. As a result of the growth in modern technology, innovations in the medical field have developed extraordinarily in the past decade alone. For instance, there is an extensive variety of imaging equipment which could be used to create reliable results, such as the CT scan or even the X-ray machine. However, Sonography has out-smarted the competition when seeking a non-evasive, safe, and affordable method of visualizing the body to assist in the process of immediate care.

Examples Of Monetary Hindrance In The VA Hospital

As the technology marches forward introducing every time we turn around a new, improved device or computer program this constant adaptation undoubtedly affects every part of our financial life. One must agree that iPhones, for example, which become almost absolute after two or three years of use due to evolving computer science must create an economic burden for some American families. The same way, all hospitals must struggle with maintaining technological sharpness while assuring the presence of digital innovation despite the existing financial limitations. To illustrate the monetary hindrance in the VA Hospital, I would like to bring to the attention a problem related to cloud-based application necessary for managing and storing information.

What Is Elizabeth Eckhart Looking At The Risk Of Concussions

These results are not completely logically due to the fact of the unavailability there is of this technology, not all collegiate and youth programs are going to have access to telemedicine, making it not logical. Aside from this, the information is still reliable and sufficient. The authors organized the information all in one section, but inside of this it is still relatively simple to

Health Care: Assignment 2 Scope And Strategy Of NSW

The limitations are to be addressed such as lack of infrastructure, high start-up cost and optimal funding need to be allocated. At this point of time it is apposite to to plan for the future through this recommendations using the telehelath, good governance, maintain good infrastructure, patient awareness and implementing the laws. Implementations of all this will transform the current health care into technological advanced health care. There by reaching being more feasible to clinicians and patients.

Carekit Health Care Case Study

However, this strategy totally depends on the objective of the company, instead the type of the products that may be either health related or others consumer products. Before going to introduce the “technology prototype” in the market, we have completed a comprehensive qualitative research through scholarly papers about “The strong relationship between technology and patient-centered health care” just because of understanding for the users and the competitors in the market that will improve the health for all Canadians in hospitals and

The Pros And Cons Of Telehealth

Like any technology, Telehealth has some advantages and some disadvantages. Living in the 21st, century many Americans have been using smartphones. Now with Telehealth, patients can gain health care by being at home, or at their workstation. Telehealth allows many patients to have access with specialist that they wouldn’t normally be able to see treatment. Telehealth allows physicians to connect with patients outside the region, which can turn into a positive outcome because it provides primary care, consumer medical health, and medical education.

Fahrenheit 451: Improving Society With Technology

“Technology and the Future of Healthcare.” Journal of Public Health Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 Dec. 2013,

Telehealth Case Study

Telemedicine can provide a reliable base for the management of chronic diseases, shared health professional staffing, reduced travel times, and fewer or shorter hospital stays. - Improved Quality: telemedicine based healthcare services have comparable quality with traditional in-person consultations. Even in some specialties such as mental health and ICU care, telemedicine quality of care surpasses the quality and satisfaction of the traditional healthcare system. - Patient Demand: Due to ease of availability and use, consumers demand for telemedicine services are high. Telemedicine has the greatest impacts on the patient, their family and their community.

What Are The Significant Advances In The Space Race

The use of satellites for remote monitoring of patients has also led to the development of new techniques for diagnosing and treating diseases. Additionally, the use of computers and the internet has led to the creation of electronic health records and the development of new medical imaging techniques. These advancements have greatly improved the quality of healthcare and have made it more accessible to people around the

Icu Failure

The most important message from the new report was that the results will improve only if the new technology and methods of care are introduced in the healthcare

Telehealth Ethical Issues

Telehealth offers real-time communication where a patient consults with a physician or where a nurse practitioner consults with a specialist through a link. In such cases, the patient can access primary care without going to the clinic. Reaching patients at home saves not only travel times and related practitioners and patients expenses but also improves patient survival as well as recovery. Effectiveness of the TELEHEALTH (ethical-legal issues) The effectiveness of telehealth technology is affected by issues of ethics, costs of infrastructure and legal issues.

Alarm Fatigue

Technological advancements have brought efficiency and effectiveness of all aspects of human life. In the health care sector, physiological activities can be effectively carried out by the patient’s bedside through use of modernized equipment’s. The machines function through production of specific sound and in case conditions deviate from the normal range, they consequently and automatically vary the type of sound produced calling for urgent attention from doctors. The alarms have been proven to be of paramount importance in the health sector, however, they have been giving rise to alarm fatigue. This is a condition where sensory stimulus becomes overloaded amounting to sensory desensitization a condition which can make the attendant’s to

Advancement In Health Care

The advancement in science and technology has helped to improve the healthcare services tremendously; beyond what even doctors thought was impossible years ago. Technology has also improved the understanding of illnesses and the development of new treatments. Up to date, healthcare scientists and doctors are still working hand in hand in trying to develop new technologies in order to improve the healthcare services as well as offer the best and most appropriate treatment to patients in the future. Advancement in healthcare has been observed fields such as pharmacology, oncology, neurology, psychology, however, for the purpose of this assignment, part one will focus on advances in medical diagnostics, bioinformatics and reproductive health.

Essay On Assistive Technology

Accessibility is a concept that essentially applies to the customization of products, services, appliances and environments in a way that enables them to be used by people who have various types of disabilities. Effectively speaking, these products and services are designed in such a manner that enables people with special needs to gain both ‘direct’ as well as ‘indirect’ access to them. At the same time, the benefits of accessibility also extend to a wider category of individuals such as senior citizens and medical patients. Assistive technology is a term that is closely associated with the concept of accessibility. For instance, the application of assistive technology is what makes electronic equipment such as computer screen readers accessible to all categories of end users, including those with disabilities or special needs.

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Essay About Medical Technology

Medical digitized records, powerful imaging devices, small sophisticated tools – medical technology plays an important role in modern healthcare system and significantly alter the provision of care.

The world of medical technology is vast. It includes all the medicines, instruments, procedures, and support systems necessary to provide care. Recognized medical experts indicate that medicine become increasingly dependent on the technology. They already became a part of hospitals and even invade our homes.

According to the experts, the technologies are used in all medical fields.

Doctors and specialists use them both for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment as well as for the rehabilitation or home care. For example, doctors use vaccines to prevent disease outbreaks, medical imaging for early detection, or laboratory tests and screening for diagnoses. In addition, there are supporting technologies, such as sterilization, and those relating to infrastructure of hospitals, particularly for ensuring the power supply in case of failure. Without this technology, about 80% of care could not be provided.

Technology Term Paper

Medical technology is often associated with big expensive devices such as scanners, the magnetic resonance imaging, and nuclear medicine imaging systems. However, these devices represent only a small part of the medical arsenal of a health facility. The park equipment also includes thousands of small instruments and medical devices. It is in this area where there is the largest number of innovations.

In many other sectors there are important technological advances, including laboratory analysis. For example, development in genetic testing allows to predict the risk of certain cancer types.

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Drug technologies also demonstrate considerable progress. Today, drugs are used not only to treat patients, but also to prevent diseases, reduce symptoms, and improve quality of life for people with chronic disease. This change affects spending on drugs. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, the cost of drugs has increased from 288 million in 1975 to six billion thirty years later, which represents 22% of health spending in Quebec.

In short, if medical technologies improve the quality of health care and health care delivery, they also pose many challenges to be faced.

As it was mentioned above, medical technology plays today a very important role in healthcare system. Students, who want to write their research project on medical technology, have to thoroughly study the origins and evolution of the phenomenon. They will have to find and process a great deal of information from reliable and verified sources and present clearly their own ideas on the matter.

If you want to write a good research proposal, you have to take advantage of free sample research papers on medical technology. These free papers can guide you through the complex process of scientific text writing and show you how to structure your paper.

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Essay on the Impact of Technology on Health Care

Technology has grown to become an integral part of health. Healthcare organizations in different parts of the world are using technology to monitor their patients’ progress while others are using technology to store patients’ data (Bonato 37). Patient outcomes have improved due to technology, and health organizations that sought profits have significantly increased their income because of technology. It is no doubt that technology has influenced medical services in varied ways. Therefore, it would be fair to conclude that technology has positively affected healthcare.

First, technology has improved access to medical information and data (Mettler 33). One of the most significant advantages triggered by technology is the ability to store and access patient data. Medical professionals can now track patients’ progress by retrieving data from anywhere. At the same time, the internet has allowed doctors to share medical information rapidly amongst themselves, an instance that leads to more efficient patient care.

Second, technology has allowed clinicians to gather big data in a limited time (Chen et al. 72). Digital technology allows instant data collection for professionals engaged in epidemiological studies, clinical trials, and those in research. The collection of data, in this case, allows for meta-analysis and permits healthcare organizations to stay on top of cutting edge technological trends.

In addition to allowing quick access to medical data and big data technology has improved medical communication (Free et al. 54). Communication is a critical part of healthcare; nurses and doctors must communicate in real-time, and technology allows this instance to happen. Also, healthcare professionals can today make their videos, webinars and use online platforms to communicate with other professionals in different parts of the globe.

Technology has revolutionized how health care services are rendered. But apart from improving healthcare, critics argue that technology has increased or added extra jobs for medical professionals (de Belvis et al. 11). Physicians need to have excellent clinical skills and knowledge of the human body. Today, they are forced to have knowledge of both the human body and technology, which makes it challenging for others. Technology has also improved access to data, and this has allowed physicians to study and understand patients’ medical history. Nevertheless, these instances have opened doors to unethical activities such as computer hacking (de Belvis et al. 13). Today patients risk losing their medical information, including their social security numbers, address and other critical information.

Despite the improvements that have come with adopting technology, there is always the possibility that digital technological gadgets might fail. If makers of a given technology do not have a sustainable business process or a good track record, their technologies might fail. Many people, including patients and doctors who solely rely on technology, might be affected when it does. Apart from equipment failure, technology has created the space for laziness within hospitals.

Doctors and patients heavily rely on medical technology for problem-solving. In like manner, medical technologies that use machine learning have removed decision-making in different hospitals; today, medical tools are solving people’s problems. Technology has been great for our hospitals, but the speed at which different hospitals are adapting to technological processes is alarming. Technology often fails, and when it does, health care may be significantly affected. Doctors and patients who use technology may be forced to go back to traditional methods of health care services.

Bonato, P. “Advances in Wearable Technology and Its Medical Applications.”  2010 Annual International Conference of The IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology , 2010, pp. 33-45.

Chen, Min et al. “Disease Prediction by Machine Learning Over Big Data from Healthcare Communities.”  IEEE Access , vol. 5, 2017, pp. 69-79.

De Belvis, Antonio Giulio et al. “The Financial Crisis in Italy: Implications for The Healthcare Sector.”  Health Policy , vol. 106, no. 1, 2012, pp. 10-16.

Free, Caroline et al. “The Effectiveness of M-Health Technologies for Improving Health and Health Services: A Systematic Review Protocol.”  BMC Research Notes , vol. 3, no. 1, 2010, pp. 42-78.

Mettler, Matthias. “Blockchain Technology in Healthcare: The Revolution Starts Here.”  2016 IEEE 18Th International Conference On E-Health Networking, Applications and Services (Healthcom) , 2016, pp. 23-78.

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The Medical Technologies Development Essay

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The issue of developing technology to improve the quality of care and treatment has become particularly acute during the active phase of the coronavirus pandemic, and humanity can anticipate an improvement in the quality of care. In the coming years, it is expected to improve patient contact tracking technologies and, for example, the creation of markers that will help quickly determine the presence of the disease in the patient.

First, the pandemic has demonstrated to the world the ability to track patients’ contacts, which will help identify the disease and help the person recover. Tracing through the app reduces reliance on human medical responses but is inconsistent in terms of confidentiality (Budd et al., 2020). However, these technologies rely on approaches that have not previously been used on a large scale, so we can expect to implement these methods in the medical field in the future. Another innovative tool is the Digital Biomarker, which is to identify diseases in patients in an impartial way (Seyhan & Carini, 2019). This technology can significantly facilitate the work of health workers and improve the quality of treatment given to patients through precise diagnosis.

In conclusion, the development of technology is improving the medical field, allowing for the improvement of the quality of treatment of patients. In the coming years, humanity should expect to develop patient-tracking apps, but developers must address privacy issues in some countries. It is also possible to create contactless devices that can quickly, accurately, and painlessly determine human health, allowing specialists to prescribe a more suitable treatment.

Budd, J., Miller, B. S., Manning, E. M., Lampos, V., Zhuang, M., Edelstein, M., Rees, G.,

Emery, V. C., Stevens, M. M., Keegan, N., Short, M. J., Pillay, D., Manley, E., Cox, I. J., Heymann, D., Johnson, A. M., & McKendry, R. A. (2020). Digital technologies in the public-health response to COVID-19 . Nature Medicine , 26 (8), 1183–1192. Web.

Seyhan, A. A., & Carini, C. (2019). Are innovation and new technologies in precision medicine paving a new era in patients centric care? Journal of Translational Medicine , 17 (1), 114. Web.

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Short Essay about Medical Technology

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The article examines the effectiveness of Google's newest invention, Google Glass, from a medical point of view. Since Google Glass has proven to be helpful In the emergency room, this concept affects my life due to my set-Len- stone plan to pursue a career in the medical field. Google Glass's "APS- help provide better patient care, which also explains to technology oppositions just how efficient the use of technology is.

The APS that Google Glass is suited with are composed of hands-free features. These features Include taking pictures and recording video.In addition, you are able to share these pictures and videos via message or even live-stream. To send a message to a recipient, all the user needs to do is speak to Glass. Glass even allows you to search the internet for whatever is on your mind. The new technology even allows its user to translate foreign words and phrases into your own language.

Lastly, and least importantly, another key feature of this new technology is its GAPS navigational system. All of these hands-free features that Google Glass provides can be used In more than Just a practical way ("Google").When doctors give care to their patients, their care could possibly be relying on technology that assists the doctor. In some cases, this technology could be something as little as a stethoscope. Other times, the technology that doctors rely on could be something huge and complex, such as a computer. Either way, it is clear that a doctor's use of technology is for better and more efficient patient care.

With that in mind, Google Glass's hands-free features show potential to Implement Glass as a new, global, medical technology.Each feature that Glass Is equipped with (beside the handy GAPS navigational system) can be proven to assist doctors, allowing them to care for patients more freely ("Google"). Google Glass's ability to take pictures and record videos, along with being able to share these pictures and videos, serves a purpose to medical workers by making their Job more informational. For example, a first-responder in an emergency situation can capture what Is happening during the scene. The first-responder's visual description comes with Its own visual display.When relayed to further patient care such as doctors or surgeons, this kind of information can be crucial to the patient's survival.

This information helps doctors prepare for treatment and know what to expect. The first-responder's use of Google Glass informs the further patient care, educating them in a way ("Google"). Speaking of education, Glass's ability to share and live-stream Its pictures and videos can be used In an educational aspect. Descriptive pictures of medical content maximize the information received.Medical teachings, such as surgery, basic life support, extractions, extractions, etc. Can be recorded and shared between pupils to be reviewed, re-watched, studied, etc ("Google").

This use of Glass can be applied to get a better understanding of how to master medical treatments. Mastering these techniques entitles you as a credible physician with credible experience. Most questions today are no longer answered by taking the time to find a credible source with a credible answer. The people who have these questions resort to searching the internet for a quick answer instead.In order to comply with these people, Google Glass has implemented its search engine into its features. To a doctor, this implement is useful by being able to find quick answers to simple questions while caring for a patient.

For example, the doctor may ask Glass, "What allergic reactions can occur by latex? In order to answer a patient's question regarding his or her allergies. A hands-free search engine can also be used to bring up nearby hospitals, pharmacies, fire stations, etc.Glass's ability to do this saves valuable time that could be used to save lives ("Google"). Glass's last notable feature that applies in the emergency room is the ability to translate foreign words or phrases into the user's own language. This can prove to be helpful in situations where the patient has a heavy accent, does not speak your language very well, or does not speak your language at all.

In addition to translating foreign language into your own desired language, you can do the inverse.In order to make the patient feel more at home, more relaxed, and more cared for, doctors could now translate what they have to say into the foreign language the patient uses. Doing this would increase the number of doctors globally, since finding doctors who speak specific languages would be a thing of the past ("Google"). As a student who sees his future in the medical field, this article is of great importance to me. Seeing what applications are used in the emergency room increases my knowledge on the topic and gives me a better idea of what to expect in the future.

I believe that technology plays a major role in the medical field, but I also believe that technology plays a major role in life in general. Google Glass's features that are not meant for any specific area of use are practical. The use of these features and the outcomes they bring depend on how efficient you believe technology really is. So rather than bashing this new-coming technology as a curse on our youth, we should start to see it as a prosperous opportunity to serve a greater purpose in life.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Improve — The Importance of Using Technology to Improve Healthcare

The Importance of Using Technology to Improve Healthcare

• Categories: Decision Making Improve Patient

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Words: 1272 |

Published: May 24, 2022

Words: 1272 | Pages: 3 | 7 min read

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Introduction, communication, reduces medical inaccuracies, improve patient safety, support decision making, works cited.

• Asghar, N. Z., Sheikh, Z. H., Ilyas, A., Khan, I. A., & Imran, A. (2014). Role of health information technology in reducing medical errors. Journal of Medical Systems, 38(12), 1-5.
• Dhillon, I. S., & Schuurmans, D. (Eds.). (2019). Machine Learning: Foundations. Adaptive Computation and Machine Learning series. MIT Press.
• Kaminski, J., & Nesterova, Y. (2020). The role of technology in improving healthcare system performance. Central European Journal of Operations Research, 28(1), 273-291.
• Kemp, P., & Williams, C. (Eds.). (2020). Health Systems in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: An Economic and Policy Perspective. Oxford University Press.
• Kumar, A. (2020). Healthcare Information Systems: Challenges of the New Age. Springer.
• Lungu, I., Lupu, V. V., & Vladescu, C. (2021). The impact of technology on healthcare: Evidence from a panel of Eastern European countries. Technological Forecasting and Social Change , 170, 120849.
• Schwab, K. (2017). The Fourth Industrial Revolution. Crown Business.
• Seidel, R. (Ed.). (2017). Handbook of Research on Entrepreneurship and Aging. Edward Elgar Publishing.
• Tavares, J., & Oliveira, T. (2019). Electronic health record patient portals: A systematic review of impact on care outcomes and access. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 19(1), 1-14.
• World Health Organization. (2021). Digital health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/health-topics/digital-health#tab=tab_1

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Advancements In Medical Technology Essay | Essay on Advancements In Medical Technology for Students and Children in English

February 14, 2024 by sastry

Advancements In Medical Technology Essay:  Modern medicine has gained prominence and widespread acceptance as the preferred method of curing diseases. Today, we know more about the human body, how it works and about its diseases. The advances in modern medicine have made clearer the physical and psychological causes behind various diseases. Advancements in the field of health and medicine has been there in every civilisation. But, today it is more researched and revised in form of chemicals. These advances in medicine have opened up possibilities beyond what doctors thought was possible years ago. Today’s techniques, surgeries, therapies and drugs have decreased the overall death rates, placing doctors equivalent to God.

You can read more  Essay Writing  about articles, events, people, sports, technology many more.

Long and Short Essays on Advancements In Medical Technology for Kids and Students in English

Given below are two essays in English for students and children about the topic of ‘Advancements In Medical Technology’ in both long and short form. The first essay is a long essay on Advancements In Medical Technology of 400-500 words. This long essay about Advancements In Medical Technology is suitable for students of class 7, 8, 9 and 10, and also for competitive exam aspirants. The second essay is a short essay on Advancements In Medical Technology of 150-200 words. These are suitable for students and children in class 6 and below.

Long Essay on Advancements In Medical Technology 500 Words in English

Below we have given a long essay on Advancements In Medical Technology of 500 words is helpful for classes 7, 8, 9 and 10 and Competitive Exam Aspirants. This long essay on the topic is suitable for students of class 7 to class 10, and also for competitive exam aspirants.

Due to the advancements in modern medicine, newer and more effective methods of cure and treatment are available that will help humans to live longer, healthier and with more satisfaction. Medical advancement has shown various wonders like achieving the impossible task of separating bodily attached twins. After the accident, people were bound to live a handicapped life with amputated body part. But now they are given a second life with a help of a substitution part. People born with diseases or any defects as such being blind, deaf or any other bodily defects can now be cured with the help of advanced technology.

Moreover, doctors have been successful in transplanting various body parts like heart, liver, kidney, etc and have performed various brain surgeries too. Not only this but they have also treated people with acid burns etc by providing them with new faces. And it has all been possible due to the advancement in cosmetic surgeries. Medicine are now, available for psychological disorders also. Even the gender of people in some cases, can be changed nowadays. Such is the power and might of modern day medication.

Medical sector is thus proving miraculous every day and coming up with refined development each time. Some important ones amongst them are : Robotic surgeries, which are happening on a daily basis and in growing number of centres. Doctors are using more of robotic technology in complicated surgeries to improve the accuracy of procedures. Because of the combination of drug therapies, the rate of death due to HIV and cancers have come down.

Today treating heart attack is not about doctor’s perfection. It is about the speed with which the patient is brought to the hospital so that the clot that blocks the heart can be cured. The most recent stem-cell research has proved a laboratory breakthrough for doctors. This is likely to be the future of regenerative medicines, About so many life-taking diseases can now be cured using embryonic or adult stem cells.

India is also not behind in its medical advancements. It is a promised land offering much in the medical and scientific research. In medicine, India has not only put research efforts in traditional medicine, but also in herbal medicine. It has thus adopted a holistic approach. India has formulated the drug against tuberculosis called ‘Risorine’ which has drastically cut short the duration of TB treatment. India is now a home to some great hospitals like Medanta the Medicity, Apollo Hospitals, NIMHANS (The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences), Fortis Hospital chain and others serving patients from foreign countries too.

The bright Indian minds leading various research projects are making news every day. Thousands of years of accumulated medical knowledge is now available at a click of a mouse. Even doctors need to study and be up to date. For that, Ministry of Health has come up with the world’s first digital library on traditional knowledge comprising ayurveda, herbal and other such medicinal formulations. Government, private and even some non-profit organisations are coming forward to boost the sector even more.

Short Essay on Advancements In Medical Technology 200 Words in English

Below we have given a short essay on Advancements In Medical Technology is for Classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This short essay on the topic is suitable for students of class 6 and below.

According to a Chinese Proverb “Good medicines, tastes bitter” which implies medicines comes with side effects too. Today, it seems that people just don’t want to bear even a slightest amount of pain because they have a medicine available for every pain. In response to this, they undergo a number of tests, and request for unnecessary care for themselves. Doctors see the human body as a machine with separate parts that can be treated independently rather than as an integrated whole.

Medicines give quick results but have to be continued for long. People suffering with same disease are treated the same way irrespective of their uniqueness and emotions. Medicines have several side-effects too. For instance, over dose of medicine can hamper the immune system, the therapy for cancer leads to baldness, several surgeries need extensive after care, and so on. That is why Buddha’s quote holds meaning as he said

“Every human is the author of his own health or disease….”

In the earlier time, people would die pitiably, without any known reason. One would feel helpless in front of a small illness. People would accept their disease as their fate. In lieu of this fact, the benefits of medical advancements has outweighed their drawbacks. A lot has been achieved in this field, yet a lot needs to be done for the betterment of mankind.

Advancements In Medical Technology Essay Word Meanings for Simple Understanding

• Prominence – fame, importance, reputation
• Amputated – cut off or remove surgically
• Transplanting – to transfer from one body to another
• Miraculous – extraordinary, unbelievable
• Clot – a lump or mass
• Breakthrough- step forward, progress
• Regenerative medicines – refers to a group of biomedical approaches to clinical therapies that may involve the use of stem cells
• Holistic – relating to the medical consideration of the complete person
• Formulated – devised, developed
• Accumulated – to gather or pile up
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Medical Technologies Past and Present: How History Helps to Understand the Digital Era

• Published: 07 July 2021
• Volume 43 , pages 343–364, ( 2022 )

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This article explores the relationship between medicine’s history and its digital present through the lens of the physician-patient relationship. Today the rhetoric surrounding the introduction of new technologies into medicine tends to emphasize that technologies are disturbing relationships, and that the doctor-patient bond reflects a more ‘human’ era of medicine that should be preserved. Using historical studies of pre-modern and modern Western European medicine, this article shows that patient-physician relationships have always been shaped by material cultures. We discuss three activities – recording, examining, and treating – in the light of their historical antecedents, and suggest that the notion of ‘human medicine’ is ever-changing: it consists of social attributions of skills to physicians that played out very differently over the course of history.

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Human beings have their own goals and intentions, and products should help them to realize them in an optimal way. In many cases, though, these goals and intentions do not exist independently from the technologies that are used. [Technologies] do much more than merely function – they help to shape human existence. Peter-Paul Verbeek (2015, 28)

Introduction

A wide range of novel digital technologies related to medicine and health seem poised to change medical practice and to challenge traditional notions of the patient-physician relationship (Boeldt et al. 2015; Loder 2017; Fagherazzi 2020). A number of recent pieces have explored the ethical implications of this, asking, for example, whether new means of delivering ‘greater efficiency, consistency and reliability might do so at the expense of meaningful human interaction in the care context’ (Topol Review 2019, 22). Various contributions from patients, physicians, bioethicists, and social scientists have warned that computer technologies somehow stand between the physician and the patient and that there is a fundamentally human aspect of medicine that coexists uneasily with machines (e.g. Gawande 2018; Verghese 2017). As a remedy, recent contributions call for ‘clinical empathy’ not only as a desirable characteristic trait of future physicians, but even as a selection criterion for medical students (Bartens 2019). The role history plays in these discussions is striking. Commentators often assume that current concerns about how technologies may lead to the ‘de-humanisation of care’ (Topol Review 2019, 22) are the unprecedented products of technological, social, and cultural transformations in the late twentieth-/early twenty-first centuries. When the history of medicine is referenced, it is largely in one of the following ways: first, to emphasize that today ‘[w]e are at a unique juncture […] with the convergence of genomics, biosensors, the electronic patient record[,] smartphone apps, [and AI]’ (Ibid., 6), whereby the singularity of the digital era makes historical comparisons with antique predecessors seemingly irrelevant. Second, the history of medicine is used in a nostalgic manner to refer to past medical practices, seemingly grounded in the ability of a doctor to ‘liste[n] well and sho[w] empathy,’ as having a fundamentally human element that is threatened by the digital era (Liu, Keane and Denniston 2018, 113; see also Johnston 2018). With some notable exceptions (e.g. Greene 2016, Kassell 2016, Timmermann and Anderson 2006), historians of medicine have largely refrained from attempting to interpret recent digital developments within their broader historical contexts. The historicity of digital medicine in its various forms and the insights of the history of medicine for contextualising the patient-physician relationship in the digital era have yet to be fully fleshed out.

In this contribution, we draw on historical examples and the work of historians of medicine to highlight how all technological devices are ‘expressions of medical change’ (Timmermann and Anderson 2006, 1), and to show how past analogue objects shaped physician-patient relationships in ways that remain relevant today. Our focus is on Western European medicine since the early modern period. While acknowledging the profound differences between medicines in particular historical times and places, we argue, first, that patients and doctors have always interacted in complex relationships mediated by objects. Medical objects and technologies are not only aids for performing certain human tasks, but themselves have a mediating function and impact how physicians and patients alike perceive illness and treatment. We then contend, second, that history helps inform current discussions because it highlights the plurality of ways in which the physician-patient relationship has been conceived in different eras. In particular, the ability of the physician to listen well and show empathy seems to be not so much a historical constant but rather a social attribution of certain skills to physicians that played out very differently over the course of history. Both points help us to show that some of the hopes and fears related to digital technologies are not so entirely new after all.

We work through these hypotheses in relation to three activities in the clinical encounter that have been significantly affected by digital medical technologies, namely i) recording (Electronic Health Records), ii) examining (Telemedicine), and iii) treating (Do-It-Yourself medical devices). In each case, we begin with a specific contemporary technology and the debates around it before showing how a historical perspective can contribute to our understanding of them. First, we discuss electronic health records in the light of current criticisms which maintain that this technology cuts valuable time the doctor should be spending with the patient, thereby threatening an assumed core responsibility of the physician, namely listening empathetically to the patient. History shows that physicians have not always seen administrative record-keeping as foreign to their main work with patients; rather, it has been a formative part of their professional identity at different times. Moreover, the value that both physicians and patients ascribed to empathic listening has varied substantially over time. Second, in the case of examining, we start from the observation that current debates about telemedicine focus on the greater distance between patients and physicians this technology brings about. The historical perspective demonstrates that these debates are but one example of how changing examination technologies affect both physical distance and reciprocal understanding in the patient-physician relationship. Our examples illuminate that physical proximity in the medical encounter is a modern phenomenon, and that it did not always imply a meeting of the minds between physician and patient and vice versa. Finally, our third section on self-treatment demonstrates that Do-It-Yourself devices have the potential to challenge medical authority and, by giving patients more power, alter those power balances between physician and patient that are constitutive of an idealised view of the patient-physician relationship. Yet here too there are significant historical precedents for thinking of doctors and patients as but two players within complex networks of people and technologies, in which patients ascribe value to a multiplicity of relationships.

Record-keeping: computers and the administered patient

Electronic health records (EHRs), that is computer-based patient records, have transformed the way contemporary medicine is practiced (see, for example, Topol, Steinhubl and Torkamani 2015, 353). While the electronic recording of patient files by individual health care providers has become common practice since the 1990s, a central virtual collection and storage of all health data relating to an individual patient is a rather new development which is currently being debated and technically introduced in various states. This virtual patient file is of secondary order because it is fed with original electronic files derived from various primary recording systems (GP, clinic etc.), and it follows a population health surveillance logic rather than the logic of the treatment of individual cases. The main idea is that both patients and health care providers have access to a corpus of health documents, which is as complete as possible, to make diagnosis and treatment more efficient, more precise and safer for patients, and less costly for the health system. While patients may make use of this possibility on a voluntary basis and are asked to distribute access rights to providers, healthcare providers are obliged to cooperate and feed the system with relevant data (for a local example see current implementation efforts in Switzerland and its pitfalls as described in Wüstholz and Stolle 2020). One of the main premises of supporters is that EHRs will facilitate not only networking and interprofessional cooperation but also enhance communication between doctors and patients: they ‘provide health care teams with a more complete picture of their patients’ health [and] improve communication among members of the care team, as well as between them and their patients’ (Canada Health Infoway; see also Porsdam, Savulescu and Sahakian 2016).

Yet critical discussions surrounding the introduction of EHRs doubt exactly that. They suggest that the increasing documentation, virtual storage and sharing of sensitive patient data threatens an assumed historical core value of the doctor-patient relationship, namely the possibility of physicians establishing an intimate and ‘deeper connection’ with their patients (Ratanawongsa et al. 2016, 127). From the perspective of healthcare providers, professionals criticise the time-consuming nature of EHRs, arguing that this technology supplants the time the doctor has for direct communication and time spent ‘in meaningful interactions with patients’ (Sinsky et al. 2016, 753). That screens are coming ‘in between doctors and patients’ is a widespread notion (Gawande 2018). In addition, medicine’s increasing dependence on screens is perceived as undermining important social rituals, such as exchanges between physicians and other healthcare colleagues who used to discuss their cases in more informal ways (Verghese 2017). Last but not least, EHRs are seen as a major factor contributing to declining physician health and professional satisfaction because of their time-consuming data entry that reduces face-to-face patient care (Friedberg et al. 2013). This last point seems to be crucial as the digital interfaces of EHRs indeed require a maximum of standardisation, homogenisation and formalisation of recording styles that necessarily conflicts with more informal, individual recording techniques. On the one hand, doctors are forced to fill in fields and checkboxes that do not correspond to their own knowledge priorities, that is the things they would want to highlight in a certain case from the perspective of their specialty. On the other hand, they have difficulties in identifying relevant information when too much data on an individual patient has been entered by too many people. The desired interprofessional collaboration thus runs the risk of complicating instead of facilitating the making of a diagnosis. Surgeon Atul Gawande maintains that in the past, analogue documentation forced physicians to bring essential points into focus: ‘[d]octors’ handwritten notes were brief and to the point. With computers, however, the shortcut is to paste in whole blocks of information […] rather than selecting the relevant details. The next doctor must hunt through several pages to find what really matters’ (2018). Together, these points of critique suggest not only a certain fear that the increasing digitisation of patient records might disturb relationships that in the pre-digital era were based on professional intuition and meaningful, trust-building face-to-face communication. The critique also suggests that what is threatened is the meaning and satisfaction a physician takes from his/her recording work.

From the perspective of patients, other concerns related to EHRs are more relevant, among them the safety of personal health data. But while notions of privacy – who has control over the data, who owns the patient history – are important for patients, a number of studies also show that patients perceive the careful digital documentation of their case as something positive (Assis-Hassid et al. 2015; Sobral, Rosenbaum and Figueiredo-Braga 2015). ‘Forced to choose between having the right technical answer and a more human interaction, [patients] picked having the right technical answer,’ reports Gawande (2018; see also Hammack-Aviran et al., 2020). It thus seems that as long as patients think EHRs are providing them with a higher quality of care, they readily accept EHRs and their doctors’ dependence on screens – hence adapting their expectations to technological change.

In order to scrutinize these purported threats and attitudes towards EHRs, the rich history of patient records provides a relevant historical backdrop. In studying patient records, historians have addressed exactly these issues: they have examined how the patient-physician relationship has changed over time and have used medical records to gain insights into how past physicians documented medical knowledge, how this influenced their perceptions of their professional identity, and their obligations vis-à-vis patients (Risse and Warner 1992). As a first step, it is important to see that even though EHRs pose new challenges because of their digital form, recording individual patients’ histories as part of medical practice and ‘thinking in cases’ as a form of epistemic reasoning are a historical continuum (Forrester 1996; Hess and Mendelsohn 2010). The patient history dates to ancient Hippocratic medicine when detailed medical records were written on clay tablets and handed down for centuries to preserve the esteemed knowledge of antiquity (Pomata 2010). Yet the content and form of medical records, as well as the practices producing them have changed remarkably over time (Behrens, Bischoff, and Zelle 2012). In Western Europe, physicians in sixteenth-century Italy re-appropriated the ancient practice and typically recorded their cases in paper notebooks, as part of a larger trend to systematize and record information (Kassell 2016; see also Pomata 2010). As Lauren Kassell notes, the records of early modern practitioners ‘took the form of diaries, registers or testimonials, often they were later ordered, through indexing or commonplacing, by patient, disease or cure, providing the basis for medical observations, sometimes printed as a testimony to a doctor’s expertise as well as his contribution to the advancement of science’ (2016, 122). The historical perspective reveals that the rationale for a particular type of medical record-keeping always developed in tandem with the technical capabilities for its enactment, changing ideas of how diseases should be recorded, as well as with the preferences of individual physicians (ibid. 120). Crucially, as the organization of these collections of patient histories changed, so too did medical knowing and normative ideas about the physician-patient relationship (Hess and Mendelsohn 2010; Dinges et al. 2016).

As shown above, current critical discussions about EHRs tend to evoke a medical past in which patients were given time to talk about their illness, doctors listened and engaged in meaningful interactions, and record-keeping did not interfere with these processes. Allegedly, there were few concerns over misuse of data as there was less data produced and fewer players in the game. How does this popular nostalgic view correspond to research findings in the history of medicine? To some extent, the context of ‘bedside medicine’ comes close to these ideas. This model of care remained dominant in Western Europe until the nineteenth-century. One of the main ways in which physicians generated medical knowledge at the bedside of patients was to conduct ‘verbal analysis of subjectively defined sensations and feelings’ by patients (Jewson 1976, 229-230), and these patient testimonials provided the details recounted in physicians’ notes (Fissell 1991, 92). This is partly because the early modern doctor-patient relationship was based on a ‘horizontal’ model of healing (Pomata 1998, 126-27, 135) and a legally binding ‘agreement for a cure’ (ibid., 25 passim), which gave considerable power to patients, placing them on ‘near-equal hermeneutic footing’ with doctors (Fissell 1991, 92). Physician and patron (patient) made a contract in which the mostly upper class-patient would only pay fees after ‘successful’ treatment; vice versa, doctors were not obliged to treat a patient but would rather take on patients whose potential cure, and ability to pay fees, could be foreseen. Patients’ verbal satisfaction and willingness to conduct word-of-mouth publicity for a practicing physician were key to his reputation at that time and influenced physicians’ relationships with their clients.

However, it is problematic to project today’s vision of a desirable empathic relation between doctors and patients back into the past. Although upper-class patients clearly had some power in their relationship with physicians, the dominance of patients’ speech in medical records as such should not be interpreted as proof that doctors cared about their patients in the modern sense of showing understanding. With respect to nineteenth-century bourgeois medicine, Roy Porter noted that flattery and attention in the medical encounter were calculated practices of physicians concerned to secure clients and that ‘solemn bedside palaver[,] a grave demeanour, an air of benign and unflappable authority’ were all part of the prized ‘art of never leaving without a favourable prognosis’ (1999, 672). In a similar vein, Iris Ritzmann has emphasized that eighteenth-century doctors were eager to adhere to a certain ‘savoir faire,’ that is rules of conduct that would allow them to obscure the fact that in many cases, their abilities to heal were very limited (1999). And in Paul Weindling’s assessment of German medical routines, physicians’ desires to satisfy the patient subjectively were even purely instrumental: ‘[s]ympathy with the feelings of the sick was an economic necessity owing to the competition between practitioners’ (1987, 409). In all these cases, the value ascribed to direct physician-patient dialogue was very different from today’s ideas about an empathic encounter between physicians and patients; an engaged bedside manner often had more to do with calculated support for an upper class and sometimes hypochondriac clientele.

Similarly, as concerns the careful documentation of a patient’s medical condition and history, historical evidence shows that doctors did not do it primarily for their patients’ needs but for purposes of professional standing. This was important at a time when physicians’ scientific authority still needed to be established. The fact that in many cases there were several physicians involved in the treatment of the same case made documentation and communication between physicians (and sometimes for the public) especially relevant – and especially conflictual. Eighteenth-century case histories reflecting the context of bedside medicine indeed suggest that doctors were sometimes eager to publish case histories of patients that would bespeak their ability to heal by highlighting the misfortune of their competitors in order to enhance their own reputation. This shows how misleading the popular nostalgic view of a past intimate and unbroken bond between physicians and patients is, and that analogue paper technology did not necessarily strengthen this bond but could also be used in ways that were not beneficial for patients. Unlike today, this was an era in which practices of record-keeping mirror multiple, local and highly individual ways of documentation; the formalisation and standardisation of patient files which 19 th -century hospital medicine would trigger was yet to come.

As hospitals and laboratories became important institutions for medicine in the century roughly between 1770 and 1870, they also changed the practices of record-keeping, as the customary interrogation of patients’ accounts of the course of their disease did not coincide with changing understandings of disease, scientific interests and cultural expectations (see Granshaw 1992). For instance, French anatomist and pathologist Xavier Bichat (1771-1802) dismissed note-keeping based on patients’ narratives as an obsolete method for knowledge-making. He observed in his Anatomie générale (1801), ‘you will have taken notes for twenty years from morning to night at the bedside of the sick [and] it will all seem to you but confusion stemming from symptoms that fail to coalesce, and therefore provide a sequence of incoherent phenomena’ (1801, xcix, our translation). The kind of medicine favoured by Bichat and like-minded physicians focused on gaining anatomical and physiological insights directly from the body, using both physical examination and remote techniques in the laboratory. One way in which record-keeping changed to accommodate these interests was in the use of a more technical language to describe the experiences and expressions of patients. Mary Fissell argues that with the rise of hospital medicine, ‘doctors begin to sound like doctors, and patients’ voices disappear’ because doctors interpret patients’ words and replace them with medical equivalents (1991, 99). More generally, historians have shown that during the nineteenth century, medical culture changed in a way that gradually diminished the importance of patient narratives in medical writing (Nolte 2009).

How did these changes in recording practices play out for patients in the medical encounter ? From the historical perspective, the fact that physicians adopted a more technical language in their interactions and records should not be taken as evidence for a loss of human interaction or as something that patients necessarily disliked. On the contrary, the more systematised and formalised type of record-keeping was considered state of the art and was in accordance with a rapidly growing belief in the natural sciences among both patients and the general public (Huerkamp 1989, 64). This is related to the emergence of a specific concept of scientific reasoning that, in turn, fostered a sense of ‘scientific objectivity’ that called for dispassionate observation and accurate recording (Daston and Gallison 2010; Kennedy 2017). By the end of the nineteenth century, academic physicians had managed to create such professional authority that the ‘horizontal model of healing,’ in which the physician courted his upper-class clients, was replaced by a vertical model, in which the patient subjected himself to the authority of the physician. A Berlin doctor advised his fellow colleagues in 1896 that they should communicate their medical prescriptions to patients in a way that ‘prevents any misunderstandings and so that no further question can be addressed to him’ (cited in Huerkamp 1989, 66, our translation). For patients, this growing scientific authority and paternalism meant very different things, depending on class and social status. While medical services became accessible to more people, in particular thanks to the introduction of obligatory health insurance for workers, lower classes often experienced medicine as an instrument of power rather than benevolence (Huerkamp 1989). But even for the well-to-do, who undoubtedly benefitted from newly developed medical techniques, in particular in the realm of surgery, the acceptance of medical paternalism, male rhetoric and heroic cures came with high costs. This is suggested, for instance, in a famous letter by the court lady and writer Frances (Fanny) Burney who underwent a mastectomy in 1811, a rare document offering a patient’s perspective on these matters (Epstein, 1986).

From the perspective of doctors at the turn of the nineteenth century, record-keeping was associated not only with professional obligations but also with personal fulfilment. In many European countries, physicians were asked to provide expert opinion for juridical and administrative regulations as the state was increasingly interested in tracking its population’s health (Ruckstuhl and Ryter 2017; Schmiedebach 2018). In her study of Swiss physician Caesar Adolf Bloesch’s private practice (1804-1863), Lina Gafner shows the extent to which he perceived medical practice documentation as constitutive of his professional role and self-understanding as a medical expert. Bloesch’s patient journal ‘constitutes one single gigantic research report’ (2016, 265) because it was key for allowing him to generalize from the experiences gained in his practice in order to produce knowledge to contribute to contemporary scientific discussions. Gafner notes that the ‘format he gave his journals [leads] us to assume that scientific or public health-related ambitions were part of Bloesch’s professional self-image’ (263). In contrast to this historical example, where patient care and journal keeping were combined in the light of professional ambition, it stands out that healthcare providers of today tend to see their administrative work as opposed to patient care, even as separate and conflicting tasks; it is assumed that for physicians ‘seeing patients doesn't feel like work in the way that data entry feels like work’ (Amenta 2017). This is probably related to the fact that many physicians experience the requirement of working with a given software as a limiting restraint, which they are not really able to control, while they experience working with patients as something they have learned to master. As Gawande admits: ‘a system that promised to increase my mastery over my work has, instead, increased my work’s mastery over me’ (2018). It thus seems that it is primarily the question of ownership that distinguishes past recording styles from today’s recording systems: it is difficult to individually appropriate something which is designed to harmonize if not eliminate individual recording styles.

Yet even as Bloesch and contemporaries embraced the administrative tasks associated with medical note-taking as an opportunity to become a medical expert, other nineteenth-century physicians had different views of its value. But their criticisms of record-keeping were not motivated by the inherent value they saw in interactions with patients. Rather, their critiques were linked to a notable shift during the nineteenth century as scientific interest, triggered by administrative requirements as well as different disease conceptions and methods (e.g. in epidemiology research), changed its focus from the individual case study to population studies (see Hess and Mendelsohn 2010). In Nikolas Rose’s words, ‘the regularity and predictability of illness, accidents and other misfortunes within a population’ became ‘central vectors in the administration of the biopolitical agendas of the emerging nation states’ (2001, 7). Bound up with a new emphasis on tabulation, as well as ‘precision and reliability,’ various German-speaking hospitals instigated a new tabular format designed to enable physicians to compile their observations of patients into ward journals organized into columns and, eventually, generate an annual account of the course of disease (Hess and Mendelsohn 2010, 294). Yet in response some physicians rejected what they saw as excessively confining recording requirements. Volker Hess and J. Andrew Mendelsohn describe how the chief physician at a Berlin clinic ranted about the ‘inadequacy of our [tabular] journals’ and their inability to produce medical knowledge (295). While Mendelsohn and Hess themselves remark that such tabular ward journals were very ‘far from the patient history as observation, as prose narrative’ (293), the physicians’ rejection of the use of columns to record cases was not motivated by a concern to recover patients’ own narrations of their ailments or the feeling that record-keeping prevented them from properly attending to their patients’ needs. On the contrary, these physicians were concerned with producing an annual disease history and were frustrated that ‘the ultimately administrative format’s own rigid divisions blocked the writing of a synoptic history’ (296). Rather than recovering a face-to-face encounter with patients, they were interested in finding a recording format that would allow them to present a more compelling and sophisticated general description of disease, relying on mass information.

The current consensus among historians of medicine is that we should neither conceive medical records as ‘unmediated records of experiences of illness and healing’ (Kassell 2016, 126) nor as disentangled from the medical encounter itself. Rather, ‘processes of record-keeping were integral to medical consultations’ because ‘as ritualised displays and embodied knowledge, case books shaped the medical encounters that they recorded’ (122; see also Warner 1999). In relation to how ‘computerization’ is shaping contemporary medical encounters, three main points are of note. First, physicians have not always seen time spent writing and recording patient histories as in competition with interacting with patients themselves. At various times in history, the careful documentation of individual cases was perceived as a fundamental resource for generating medical knowledge and time spent doing so as part of the self-identity of physicians. Against the repudiation of digital record-keeping by today’s physicians, historical evidence shows that to the extent that physicians saw record-keeping as coinciding with their overall knowledge objectives, they accepted and even embraced it. This is linked to a second point, namely that prolonged time spent listening to the patient talk was not historically seen as evidence of good medical practice. For example, in an era when listening at length to patients was associated with the obsequious physician catering to the ego of the upper-class patient, the sober inscription in a nineteenth-century casebook noted that ‘too much talking showed that little was wrong’ with the patient (Weindling 1987, 395). Finally, patients too accepted administrative work by doctors as a sign of expertise and not necessarily as something that reduced the doctor’s attention to them. While the power balance changed in favour of doctors and ascribed less epistemic value to patients’ words, this was not necessarily negatively received by patients. History therefore shows that we should not view technological changes as isolated from the broader medical culture surrounding them but rather as shaping and co-constructing this culture. Today’s fear that the introduction of EHRs might change the communication and relation between physicians and patients for the worse tends to blame technology for a broader cultural and medical change of which it is just one tiny aspect, that is the growing belief in data and the logic of gaining stratified knowledge to provide relevant information about any one patients’ condition. Given that patients’ expectations exist in a dynamic relationship with how physicians learn, make decisions and interact with them, EHRs are themselves bound up with creating new conditions for the physician-patient relationship.

Examining: telemedicine and the distant patient

A further way in which digitalization has influenced the medical encounter is that it has emerged as the new virtual consulting room, thereby radically transforming the settings and procedures of physical examination. Although most people still go to ‘see the doctor,’ medical encounters today no longer have to take place in physical spaces but can occur via telephone or internet – what is broadly referred to as telemedicine, literally healing at a distance (from the Greek ‘tele’ and Latin ‘medicus’) (Strehle and Shabde 2006, 956). According to the World Health Organization, as a global phenomenon, telemedicine is more widespread than EHRs with more than half of responding member states having a telehealth component in their national health policy (WHO 2016). In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine has been overwhelmingly seen as ‘[a]n opportunity in a crisis’ and has further gained in popularity (Greenhalgh et al., 2020; see also Chauhan et al., 2020). A senior NHS official cited by The Economist called the widespread adoption of remote care (viz. telemedicine) a ‘move away from the dominant mode of medicine for the last 5,000 years’ (2020, 55). In the virtual examination room, patients can ask a physician for a diagnosis, a prescription and a treatment plan and send information about diseased body parts via digital media. When inquiring about the health conditions of their patients from a virtual consultation room, physicians sometimes need to ask their patients for certain practices of self-examination and self-treatment (Mathar 2010, section III). Advocates of telemedicine emphasize that there is no risk of mutual infection, advantages of cost savings, convenience, and better accessibility to medical care generally and for people living in rural and remote areas in particular. In Switzerland, for instance, the Medgate Tele Clinic promises to ‘bring the doctor to you, wherever needed’ (2019) while the U.S. Doctor on Demand characterizes itself as ‘[a] doctor who is always with you’ (2019). Patients, meanwhile, appreciate the greater availability of physicians, less travel time and better overall experience (Abrams and Korba 2018). However, telemedicine also raises various critical questions about the effects of physical distance on the physician-patient relationship. In particular, can the quality of the examination and diagnosis be high enough if a physician only sees his/her patient via screen but cannot smell, palpate and auscultate him/her? Furthermore, how can a trusting doctor-patient relationship be established virtually and at a distance? (see Mathar 2010, 13). While some of these critiques are based on the assumption that a fitting medical encounter between physician and patient should be a ‘good, old-fashioned, technology-free, dialogue between physician and patient’ (Sanders 2003, 2), we show below that all encounters inevitably ‘pass through a cultural sieve’ (Mitchell and Georges 2000, 387). Not only has the perceived need for the physical proximity of physician and patient varied substantially over history, but historical physicians and patients have not seen physical distance as preventing them from achieving emotional understanding. Whether physical examinations took place in-person or remotely, at each point in history doctors relied on their knowledge and its applications, that is a cultural lens through which s/he gazes on, over or into the human body. Regardless if examined remotely or closely, changes in examination procedures always challenge the established sense of the emotional bond between patient and physician, which therefore needs to be defined anew.

The standard physical examination as we know it today was considered less important in Europe up to roughly 1800 because of the conventions governing the relationship between physician and patient/patron, and also because of the conventions governing the relationship between male doctor and female patients. Many physicians considered physical examination morally inappropriate and saw it as dispensable for making a diagnosis. Physicians of upper-class patients generally considered their task more to advise than to examine and treat (Ritzmann 1999, 203). From his close analysis of a casebook by a seventeenth-century English physician, Stanley Joel Reiser concludes that the ‘maintenance of human dignity and physical privacy placed limits on human interaction through touch’ (1978, 4). Given the desirability of maintaining physical distance, physicians relied on and developed other sources of knowledge than their own sense of touch. The physical examination was ‘the method least used’ by the seventeenth-century physician who rather favoured ‘the patient’s narrative and [his] own visual [outward] observations’ of the patient’s body. In her study of a manuscript authored by a surgeon-apothecary of the same historical period, Fissell singles out blood-letting as one ‘of the few occasions on which a professional […] might routinely touch a patient’ and notes that it was necessarily ‘transformed into a careful ritual, one which attempted to compensate for the transgressive nature of the encounter. The blood-letter's courteous attention to returning the patient to his or her un-touched status underlines the mixture of courtesy and technique which made good medical practice’ (1993, 23). In ways now unfamiliar to us, manners and morals interacted to make physical examination and touching patients an ancillary part of the desirable patient-doctor encounter at that time.

Regular in-person physical examination as a routine practice and diagnostic technology is a rather recent development that came along with a new anatomical understanding of disease during the course of the nineteenth century, namely that diseases can be traced to individual body parts such as organs, tissues and cells, rather than unbalanced bodily humours (Reiser 1978, 29). It was at this time that the doctor’s examination skills no longer depended on the patient’s word and the surface of the (possibly distant) body, but started relying on what the doctor could glean from the patient’s organic interior (Kennedy 2017). In order to ‘get’ to the physical conditions of the body’s interior, a number of instruments were developed to facilitate the new credo of examination. The most famous example of such a nineteenth-century examination technology is the stethoscope, invented by French physician René Laennec (1781-1826). ‘By giving access to body noises – the sounds of breathing, the blood gurgling around the heart – the stethoscope changed approaches to internal disease,’ wrote Roy Porter, ‘the living body was no longer a closed book: pathology could now be done on the living’ (1999, 208). Crucially, technologies like the stethoscope brought the physician and patient into the examination room together but by providing physicians with privileged access to the seat of disease did not necessarily bring them closer in terms of understanding. Doctors now heard things that remained unheard to the patient, and this provoked a distancing in terms of illness perceptions. In Reiser’s account, the stethoscope ‘liberated doctors from patients and, by doing so, paradoxically enabled doctors to think they helped them better. […] Listening to the body seemed to get one further diagnostically than did listening to the patient’ (2009, 26).

The result is visible in the resistance surrounding some examination technologies that allowed physicians to delve into the body’s interior in order to gain new anatomical and pathological insights but that proved too transgressive for some existing physician-patient contacts. The vaginal speculum, introduced into examination procedures in Paris in the early-nineteenth century, may have fitted well with physicians’ new commitments to empiricism and observation. But at the time of the speculum’s introduction, female genital organs, in contrast to other organs, were regarded ‘as so mysterious and so sacred that no matter how serious the disease that afflicted them might be, it was no justification for an examination either by sight or touch’ (Murphy 1891, cited in Moscucci 1990, 110). Although the speculum was in line with pathological disease concepts and close, interior observation, moral considerations continued to undermine its suitability in the clinical context. At a meeting of the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society, chronicled in the Lancet , commentators associated the speculum with both female and physician corruption, and the loss of moral virginity and innocence caused by its insertion into the body (Anon. 1850). In Margarete Sandelowski’s estimation, the vaginal speculum ‘required physicians not only to touch women’s genitals, but also to look at them, and thus imperiled the relationship male physicians wanted to establish with female patients’ (2000, 75). Here was a case in which technology challenged the socially accepted relationship between (male) physicians and (female) patients of a particular class because its application demanded increased physical closeness, and therefore was seen as undesirable and transgressive. As Claudia Huerkamp notes, it took a long time to establish a specific ‘medical culture’ in which the physical examination of female parts by a male physician was not perceived as breaking a taboo (1989, 67).

In other instances, the use of the speculum and the unprecedented access it provided to women’s anatomy mirrored existing power structures. The first uses of the speculum were justified in reference to and tested on the most vulnerable members of society. Deirdre Cooper Owens (2017) has demonstrated that in the U.S., racist arguments helped to defend the speculum’s application and experimentation on black, enslaved women as they were deemed to have a particularly ‘robust’ constitution, high tolerance of pain, and so on. Medical men such as James Marion Sims, who by his own account was the inventor of the speculum, combined his privileged access to enslaved women’s bodies with intrusive forms of examination in order to gain new knowledge crucial for the emerging field of gynaecology. This was also true for Irish immigrants in the U.S. (Owens 2017) and in the case of prostitutes in France and Germany, where the speculum was used as an instrument of the medical police (Moscucci 1990, 112). Prostitutes were screened using this new instrumentation as supposed carriers of venereal disease, whereas male clients did not need to undergo any screening. This highlights how intrusion into the body in the name of more accurate examination was frequently bound up with power and control, especially of marginalized groups.

Even as the seat of disease became increasingly associated with specific locations inside the body, this coexisted with the notion that medicine could still be conducted ‘at a distance.’ The example of the telephone demonstrates how tele-instruments worked alongside close examination devices that adhered to the principle of disease as located in particular interior body parts. In fact, the potentiality of the telephone for the medical profession was apparent from its invention in 1876; 4  as Michael Kay notes, the first inter-connected users were doctors, pharmacists, hospitals and infirmaries (2012). Practitioners used the technology, which enabled the clear transmission and reproduction of complex sounds for the first time, to improve existing instruments, or to devise entirely new examination methods. For instance, in November 1879, the Lancet published the case of an American doctor who, when phoned in the middle of the night by a woman anxious about her granddaughter’s cough, asked for the child to be held up to the telephone so that he could hear it (Anon. 1879). A group of physicians predicted in 1880 that home telephones would allow a new specialty of long-distance practitioners to ‘each settle themselves down at the centre of a web of wires and auscult at indefinite distances from the patients,’ potentially replacing the traditional stethoscope (cited in Greene 2016, 306). The telephone was also lauded for its potential to uncover foreign objects lodged in patients’ bodies, for example by acting as a metal detector (see Kay 2012). In line with the belief that a ‘good examination’ required a physician having access to the body’s interior in order to discover the seat of disease according to the localisation principle, the telephone was seen as an extension of the doctor’s ear that could improve examination and diagnosis.

In this context, reactions to the increased physical distance between physician and patient varied. The benefits of using a telephone instead of the more traditional speaking tube, which allowed breath to pass from one speaker to another, when communicating with patients with contagious diseases were recognised very early (Aronson 1977, 73). A testimonial letter, written by the Lady Superintendent at the Manchester Hospital for Sick Children in 1879, stated: ‘[The recently installed telephone] is of the greatest value in connection with the Fever Ward, enabling me to always be in communication without risk of infection’ (cited in Kay 2012). Yet some physicians worried that telephone technology had effectively ‘shrunk’ perceived social distance between them and the working classes, making them liable to be overly contacted by the general public. As one doctor complained in the Lancet in 1883: ‘[a]s if the Telegraph and the Post Office did not sufficiently invade and molest our leisure, it is now proposed to medical men that they should become subscribers to the Telephone Company, and so lay themselves open to communications from all quarters and at all times. […] The only fear we have is that when people can open up a conversation with us for a penny, they will be apt to abuse the privilege […] ’ (cited in Kay 2012) . Not only were doctors concerned about the telephone invading their ‘leisure,’ they worried that they might be overrun by the public, and their medical expertise would be needlessly exploited. Because of the inherent fear of doctors that an excessively frequent use of the telephone could flatten the social order and their standing within society, it is not surprising that the public use of the telephone came under critical medical scrutiny. This is visible in the way that telephones themselves came to be seen as seats of infection. At the end of the nineteenth century when most telephones were for public use (Fischer 1992), the British Medical Journal cautioned there was a need to curtail ‘the promiscuous use of the mouth-pieces of public telephones’ (Anon. 1887, 166). In general, the use of the telephone was informed by insights from bacteriology, which transformed individual disease ‘into a public health event affecting communities and nations’ (Koch 2011, 2), and placed new emphasis on the need to keep potentially infectious bodies as well as social classes at clear distance from one another (see Peckham 2015).

In relation to the pitfalls of today’s telemedicine and the fundamental questions of physical distance and emotional rapprochement in the medical encounter, these historical findings demonstrate that what was perceived as the ‘normal’ setting and procedure of medical examination could change remarkably within a rather short time. Before the nineteenth century, close physical examination generally played a less prominent role while patients’ illness accounts had a greater weight in the medical encounter. Indeed, in some contexts physical distance was seen as the prerogative of good medical practice. Post-1800, by contrast, is characterized by the standardisation of physical close examination, but also by the introduction of new technologies into the patient-physician relationship that themselves challenged socially-accepted degrees of physical closeness. However, this does not necessarily mean that such technologies disturbed a former unbroken bond, rather, various technologies became players in the game and could (or not) be appropriated by patients and doctors alike. Technology did not simply affect the physician-patient relationship, rather, existing societal and moral understandings influenced how technologies came into being and how they were used (Peckham 2015, 153). Our historical examples suggest that rather than seeing telemedicine as something fundamentally new and potentially threatening because it seemingly undermines a personal relationship, it may be more useful to acknowledge that technologies and cultural understandings always govern the degree of physical closeness and distance in medical encounters, and that this has had manifold implications for the emotional doctor-patient bond. The success of telepsychotherapy during the Covid-19 pandemic is perhaps a case in point. Even as it is unique among medical specialities because of the extent to which it considers the human relationship as fundamental for healing, psychotherapy via phone or video link has increased dramatically during the public health crisis, and also had good results (Békés and Aafjes-van Doorn 2020). This points not only to how physician-patient closeness and emotional understanding can exist in times of physical distance, but also to the constantly variable ways in which both the cultural imagination and experience of distance manifest themselves (Kolkenbrock 2020).

Self-treatment: do-it-yourself medical devices and the expert patient

The third field of digital medicine that we would like to put into historical perspective is one of the fastest growing fields of eHealth, namely do-it-yourself (DIY) health technologies. Such technologies broadly refer to the mobile devices that ‘now allow consumers to diagnose and treat their own medical conditions without the presence of a health professional’ (Greene 2016, 306). Silicon Valley firms sell ‘disintermediation,’ that is the possibility of cutting out middlemen – physicians – and allowing consumers to better control their health via their devices (Eysenbach 2007). Significant private investments have been driving these changes which, in the forms of smart devices and wearable technologies, often imply purchasing a product (e.g. a smartphone) and related applications and tools (see Greene 2016; Matshazi 2019). The website Digital Trends 2019 ranking of ‘the 10 best health apps’ range from Fitocracy, a running app that allows you to track your progress and that promises a fitness experience with a ‘robust community of like-minded individuals’, to Carbs that transfers the meals you have eaten into charts of calories, to Fitbit Coach that promises you the experience of having a personal trainer on your smartphone (de Looper 2019). 5 Health systems have bought on and increasingly ask patients to observe and monitor themselves with the help of these technologies, and in some cases, the use of apps to measure blood pressure, pulse and body weight such as Amicomed and Beurer HealthManager are closely connected to the possibilities of sharing one’s data remotely with a physician. In terms of reception, the delegation of tasks to digital devices is associated with patients having new options and new knowledge of their own health. In the estimation of one hospital CEO, this dramatic ‘democratization’ of technology and of knowledge signals ‘a true coming of age of the patient at the centre of the healthcare universe’ (Rosenberg 2019). In the words of chronic patient and patients’ rights advocate Michael Mittleman, while there may be benefits for patients when technologies take over certain tasks that were previously the prerogative of physicians, such technologies nevertheless pose a fundamental challenge to the ‘golden bond’ that previously characterized the patient physician-relationship, for example in the age of the house call (conversation with the author, 2019). It is clear from these statements that DIY devices – because they suggest that the more beneficial relationship is that between the patient/consumer and his/her devices – challenge previous assumptions about the inherent value of the physician-patient relationship as well as the balance of power between those two actors (see Obermeyer and Emmanuel 2016).

Both the notion that patients inherently benefit from circumventing physicians and taking their health into their own hands, as well as the idea of a close, almost familial bond that characterized the physician-patient relationship prior to contemporary DIY practices can be nuanced if we acknowledge that do-it-yourself medical practices have a long and varied history. As Roy Porter has noted, in the eighteenth-century, ‘ordinary people mainly treated themselves, at least in the first instance[,] “medicine without doctors” [was] a necessity for many and a preference for some’ (1999, 281). Only in the nineteenth-century did the medical profession establish a monopoly in health care and have the official power to determine what was ‘health’ and ‘sickness’. In the previous centuries, local and pluralistic ‘medical markets’ embraced far more providers of health services and their varied tools, including barbers, surgeons, quacks and charlatans, so that patients chose among the options that most convinced them or that were affordable to them (Ritzmann 2013, 418). But patients also had the option to help and treat themselves using the means at their disposal – Fissell argues that a person who fell ill in 1500 and still in 1800 almost always first sought medical treatment in a domestic context: ‘[h]e or she relied upon his or her own medical knowledge of healing plants and procedures, consulted manuscript or printed health guides, and asked family, neighbors, and friends for advice’ (2012, 533). As Fissell points out, the enormous diffusion and importance of self-therapy at the time meant that the ‘boundary between patients and practitioners was hard to pin down’ (534). While current depictions of an idealised interaction between physician and patient assume a physician who through his/her knowledge examines, advises and treats the non-knowing patient, history shows that the presumed boundaries between the expert and lay person are far more blurred than is usually assumed.

The presumed novelty of a de-centralised market for DIY devices that potentially threatens the dual relationship between physicians and patients can be put into perspective when considering historical examples. Due to a fairly unregulated medical market in the early modern period, competition was high and the business of medicinal recipes lucrative. In this context, profit-motivated apothecaries benefited from offering new recipes made from exotic products: as of the fifteenth century European pharmacies stocked many wares with medicinal properties – including spices, elements such as sulphur, and plants, for examplemastic and sundew – and these were bought by people who gathered and dealt in medicinal plants (or ‘simples’) and other apothecaries, who made them into medicines. In the wake of the European voyages of discovery, the range of products became ever wider and more expensive, and apothecaries were a very profitable business branch for a long time (Ehrlich 2007, 51-55). King and Weaver have used evidence from remedy books in eighteenth-century England to show how families purchased recipes for remedies, and resold both the recipes and the medicines they brewed to other local people (2000, 195). Until the nineteenth century the medical market flourished and was accessible and lucrative for many participants, while the demand for ‘medical’ services was high, particularly in towns and cities. Access to the technologies of healing – whether domestic medical guides or healing herbs – allowed patients to control their health and treatments according to a wide range of scientific explanations. In contrast to other European countries that meanwhile had developed some restrictions for apothecaries and their suppliers, in Britain the market-place was remarkably varied in the light of the free-market principle caveat emptor (let the buyer beware). ‘In English conditions,’ wrote Porter, ‘irregulars, quacks and nostrum-mongers seized the opportunities a hungry market offered’ (1995, 460). In these conditions of market-oriented healing, both patients and healers alike believed, sometimes fervently, in the effectiveness of the remedies on offer. Moreover, the network of relationships in which such transactions took place was remarkably fluid, with patients using the services of several health professionals in succession or simultaneously.

In the following centuries, medical practice and science would change dramatically due to the rise of academic training as a prerequisite to enter the medical profession, a development seen across Europe, as well as the integration of physicians into national health agendas. A growing belief in science and a paternalistic ideal of the academic physician attributed to him the sole power over medical practice and technologies. It became more difficult for other healers to participate in the health market, and the knowledge of the self-treating patient was diminished as well. As part of the attempt to counteract competition from non-educated or apprenticed healers, in the United Kingdom only registered doctors could hold various public posts, such as public vaccinator, medical officer and the like (Bynum 2006, 214). Yet ‘alternative’ medicine, a term that contained all those healers not licenced and accepted by the respective medical registers, continued to satisfy patients’ needs, although to a lesser extent. In Weindling’s assessment of the prospects of university-educated physicians to attract clients in nineteenth-century Berlin, ‘[f]ierce competition from a range of unorthodox practitioners must be assumed’ (1987, 398). The popularity of hydropathic doctors and water cures, mud-bathing and vegetarianism are but some examples of how alternative medicines co-existed alongside official ones and were increasingly popular treatments even though they did not meet the contemporary academic criteria of standards regarding safety and efficacy (Ko 2016). Thus patients often looked beyond qualified physicians to other practitioners, and their own sensibilities played a considerable role in which relationships they chose to develop.

A look into twentieth-century history shows that DIY practices were integrated into official medicine as well (Timmermann 2010; Falk 2018). The significant rise of chronic diseases and life-long treatment, for instance, required the co-operation of patients in the form of self-tracking and observation of their bodies since it could not be done by medical experts alone. In the first decades of the twentieth century, DIY methods and technologies for measuring blood pressure or sugar became particularly vital, transforming the roles of ‘patient’ and ‘doctor’ and relationship between them. Examining the history of self-measuring blood pressure, Eberhard Wolff notes that patients doing so in the 1930s required both patience and training, and also were pushed into a more active and participatory role during medical treatment: it was not the doctor anymore but the patient who produced and controlled relevant data that were decisive for further medical decisions and treatment (2014, 2018). With the rise of the risk factor model in mid-twentieth century – the identification of factors in patient’s behaviour and habits that were suspected of contributing to the development of a chronic disease – DIY practices grew ever more important and so did its technologies. From this moment, the idea of preventing disease shifted towards individual, possibly damaging behaviours such as smoking and diet that could trigger a number of different diseases. As a consequence, the patient received more responsibility in order to live up to the new credo of maintaining his or her personal health (Lengwiler and Madarász 2010). Optimizing a personal healthy life style hence did not necessarily occur in direct consultation with a doctor but rather in conjunction with health products available on the market. In the words of sociologist Nikolas Rose, in the course of the twentieth century:

[t]he very idea of health was re-figured – the will to health would not merely seek the avoidance of sickness or premature death, but would encode an optimization of one’s corporeality to embrace a kind of overall “well-being” … It was this enlarged will to health that was amplified and instrumentalized by new strategies of advertising and marketing in the rapidly growing consumer market for health (2001, 17-18).

According to Rose, by such developments, ‘selfhood has become intrinsically somatic – ethical practices increasingly take the body as a key site for work on the self’ (18). But he also argues that by linking our well-being to the quality of our individual biology we have not become passive in the face of our biological fate. On the contrary, biological identity has become ‘bound up with more general norms of enterprising, self actualizing, responsible personhood’ (18-19). By considering ourselves responsible for our own biology as key to our health, we have come to depend on ‘professionals of vitality’ (22) whether they be purveyors of DIY devices, genetic counsellors, drug companies or doctors.

With respect to contemporary debates over DIY practices, some have argued that they allow both doctors and patients to be ‘experts’ and call for ‘a relationship of interactive partnership,’ not only because patients today are often informed but also because ideally they know best their own bodies and ailments (Kennedy 2003). Against this idealising assessment, the historical perspective makes us aware that while self-help and self-treatment have been an important dimension of past medical cultures, it appears that historically, patients have not relied as much on a face-to-face empathetic encounter with any one physician as today’s debates suggest. Moreover, today as in the past, the mere existence of markets for medical devices influences how consumers/patients decide whether to resist or embrace the various possibilities of self-treatment as well as their relationships with those who provide it. As Porter has argued, purveyors of ‘alternative’ medicines rationalised their therapeutic effects in ways that differed from official scientific methods and using arguments that likewise changed over time. Depending on the perspective of whose model of evidence users deemed most credible, the co-existence of diverse models for practicing medicine must be assumed throughout history and despite nineteenth-centuries attempts to eliminate unorthodox medicines (Timmermann 2010). The result was a diverse network of fast-changing relationships in which no single one was ascribed the ultimate power to heal. Reflecting on this history, historian of medicine and physician Jeremy Greene has stated that contemporary DIY devices therefore appear ‘neither wholly new nor wholly liberating’ (2016, 308). Our analysis corroborates Greene’s, in that it shows how those who use new DIY technologies may free themselves from their traditional relationship of dependence on physicians, while also creating new relationships with those actors who produce apps or conduct marketing. Yet our study also suggests that there is no one ethical conclusion about whether DIY or physician-dominated care is a better way of living up to a more humane medicine. Ethical arguments and the grounds on which we are supposed to resolve them are complex and variable. As seen in these historical examples, they have changed profoundly over time with each technology and medical concept challenging and refashioning the doctor-patient bond anew. Furthermore, there is no such thing as a ‘timeless’ doctor’s healing presence, or even medical expertise, or an ill person/patient. As shown above, as health and illness are defined, redefined and challenged throughout history, this process creates both expert and patient, as well as shapes the relationship between them.

An oft-heard concern about ‘computerization’ in medicine is that digital objects are changing human interactions. While various representatives from the tech side are optimistic about the effects of increasingly dynamic and intelligent objects in the medical encounter, some patients and physicians are more skeptical and see their social relationships as disturbed by new technologies. ‘Doctors don’t talk to patients’ is the most common complaint the CEO at a Montreal hospital recounted hearing from current patients (conversation between the author and Lawrence Rosenberg, 2019). Fears that increasing digitization of medicine will disturb the relationship that can potentially make the patient ‘whole’ again are not without foundation (King 2020). However, without a clear baseline for assessing changes we have limited scope for drawing conclusions about present day realities or long-term trends. Given the appeal of using the past to suggest a more ‘human’ but lost era of medical practice, a less nostalgic but more sophisticated understanding of the past as provided by historical research would serve us well. In this sense, history can counteract a characteristically modern myopia, namely, as intellectual historian Teresa Bejan has put it, our ‘endearing but frustrating tendency to view every development in public life as if it were happening for the first time’ (2017, 19).

As we saw in the examples dealing with record keeping, examining and self-treatment, trends that consider the patient as an object – a diseased lung, or a malfunctioning heart valve – and the concomitant use of technologies to record, examine and treat physical symptoms were necessarily in tension with patients’ own accounts of how they became ill and of the symptoms they experienced. In fact, concerns about the loss of meaningful personal contact in the medical encounter are incomprehensible without reference to a historical trend dating back to the beginning of the nineteenth century which seems to undermine the patient’s perspective by focusing on increasingly specialised processes within the body. Yet neither before nor after that time is there an unmediated patient’s voice that we are able to recover: the medical record as historical source has its own distinct material history, and patients’ expectations were always bound up with broader societal views about acceptable standards of healing. The historical perspective also shows that we should not take for granted the linear narrative of the technological as adverse to human relations and reducing empathetic understanding in the medical encounter – to paraphrase Lauren Kassell, the digital is not just the enemy of the human (2016, 128). Rather, it makes us aware that our understanding of the doctor-patient relationship and of its role in healing are themselves historically contingent. The idea of ‘a friendly, family doctor “being there”’ and the association of medicine with a ‘desirable clinical relationship’ (as opposed to e.g. perfect health) is an idea that has played out very differently in the course of history (Porter 1999, 670). There were times in which listening to patients was bound up with completely different expectations from both sides, and there were times in which physical examination was not seen as an indispensable part of medical practice. Moreover, while the monopoly of the physician in matters of health care and the focus on the (exclusive) healing potential of the clinical relationship is of relatively recent origin, we have seen that the popularity and economy of DIY devices has a much longer history, one that resists a linear account of DIY devices as something purely liberating. Hence, in contrast to idealised and simplified historical narratives that lament the loss of human relationships, more sophisticated accounts should acknowledge that medical objects and technologies are not the strange and disturbing ‘other’ in the medical encounter but rather integral players therein. As Frank Trentmann has put it, ‘things and humans are inseparably interwoven in mutually constitutive relationships’ (2009, 307). While the authors of a recent study suggest that ‘the traditional dyadic dynamics of the medical encounter has been altered into a triadic relationship by introducing the computer into the examination room’ (Assis-Hassid et al. 2015, 1), it seems more likely that the dyadic relationship has never existed.

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Vanessa Rampton received funding from the Branco Weiss Fellowship – Society in Science.

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1 We rely on a definition used by science and technology scholars whereby the term ‘technology’ operates on three levels (see Bijker, Hughes and Pinch 2012, xlii). First, there is the physical level, referring to tangible objects such as a smartphone, wellness band, or stethoscope. The second level of meaning concerns activities or processes, such as 3D printing or creating X-rays. The third level refers to knowledge people have in addition to what they do, for example the knowledge that underpins the conduct of a surgical procedure. This approach shows the extent to which specific tools and techniques, knowledge, and rationales for intervention are intricately bound together. Our use of the term ‘digital,’ that is involving computer technology, in relation to medicine ‘includes categories such as mobile health (mHealth), health information technology (IT), wearable devices, telehealth and telemedicine, and personalized medicine’ (U.S. Food and Drug Administration).

2 As a rule, while systematic reviews of telemedicine generally portray it as effective as in-person consultation or promising, evidence is limited and fast-evolving (Ekeland, Bowes and Flottorp 2010; Kruse et al. 2017; Lee et al. 2017).

3 In Germany, legislators have reacted to these concerns by limiting video consultation to cases in which physician and patient have physically met before, and primarily using it for monitoring the course of disease, including chronic ones, or the healing of an injury (Heinrich 2017).

4 Scottish-born US inventor Alexander Graham Bell was the first to be awarded the U.S. patent for the invention of the telephone in 1876 (Fischer 1992).

5 Interestingly, and probably most important for their users, nine out of ten among the ranked apps are available as free downloads ( https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/best-health-apps/ , June 16, 2019).

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Rampton, V., Böhmer, M. & Winkler, A. Medical Technologies Past and Present: How History Helps to Understand the Digital Era. J Med Humanit 43 , 343–364 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10912-021-09699-x

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Innovation in medicine: New ideas for translation: Award Winning Essay in Competition organized by ICMR, 2018

Ajey singh rathore.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India

In the early 1960s, on Jaipur-Delhi National Highway, a common man ‘Mangilal’ met with an accident. The doctor had to amputate his right leg and it was all because of the delay in reaching hospital. To some, it is just a lost leg; to others, it is a lost livelihood, and to a budding cricketer like him, it was a major setback and an abrupt end to his career. Replace Mangilal with any other name, but the story remains the same. Hundreds and thousands of people at that time found their wings cut before their flight. Mangilal and others were aware of the USA-based prosthetics, but these were beyond their reach. Not unawareness, but the inaccessibility of technological advances was and is still a major issue. At this time, Dr P.K. Sethi, an orthopaedic surgeon, could not take the plight of these people and stepped in to bring a change. He along with R.C. Sharma, an illiterate but a skilled craftsman, invented a prosthetic. Now famously known as ‘Jaipur Foot’, this invention was durable, light, water resistant, easy to use and way cheaper than its US counterparts. The appeal was massive and the impact changed lives.

The above was not a story or a miracle, but an example of what an innovation is or rather what an innovation should be. Innovation is nothing but an idea, an initiative significantly improved to surpass its predecessors that has a revolutionary impact on human lives along with being cost-effective. Citing an example of 1960s in 2018 highlights a paucity of such innovations in India and a grave need to analyze the validity of ‘innovation as a concept in the field of medicine’. Before going further, let's ask ourselves some questions that need to be addressed. What is innovation in medicine and what are the prospects of it? What are the issues and challenges faced by us? India's contribution towards this? And most importantly, what should be done to improve the current situation? Finding answers to these questions will help us in finding solutions to our problems.

Innovations and its prospects in medicine

While dealing with a field as vast and as important as medicine, we need to broaden our innovative horizons. If the use of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) in editing genes of embryo was an innovation, then Murgunathan's attempt to make cheaper sanitary napkins was no less. If the beverage model or Bismarck's model was path-breaking, then Modi's national health policy is a novel approach too. No matter big or small, an idea is what we need.

Innovation is a multidimensional concept and a thorough understanding is necessary, for example:

Innovation in core medical science

If medical science goes stale, will the human bodies not rot? In this fast-paced and ever dynamic world of technological advances, medicine cannot sit back with the concepts of Victorian era. It can only grow when it breaks through the shackles of its own laid back concepts and questions itself. Long gone are the days, when everything that was told, assumed or supposed by the experts was taken as ‘Medical Science’. Now, science has taken on a broader meaning and a greater responsibility. In this modern renaissance of medicine, each and every idea, be it a complex surgery or a simple measurement of blood pressure, is subjected to the same litmus test for evidence, thus giving birth to the concept of ‘Evidence-Based Medicine’. It means that for any idea to be accepted, it has to prove its worth by giving satisfactory evidence of its efficacy. This non-prejudiced approach eases the development and acceptance of newer and better ideas and has given new opportunities for inventions and innovations.

Medical science all over the world is getting rewritten and India cannot afford to sit back. The time has come for us to unleash the full potential of our diverse and rich human dividend and take India forward on the path of becoming a global leader in the field of healthcare. This step of introducing innovations will be no less than the Indian contribution of ‘zero’ in the decimal system. We need to redefine the age old ideas, procedures, protocols and guidelines, widely prevalent and religiously followed in the entire world. Moreover, there is a need to rethink the medical education curriculum itself.

Innovation in drug development

Discovery of teixobactin, a new antibiotic after a gap of 30 years, clearly shows our insufficiency in our fight against the bacteria. In the initial phase of antibiotic discovery, it was a huge success because we caught the enemy unguarded and could nearly eliminate the deadliest of them. The times have changed and large numbers of bacteria are reported everyday which are virtually resistant to all available antibiotics. It will be honest to say that we are on the verge of repeating the DDT disaster. One drug in 30 years shows an unprecedented lag in drug development. The situation has caught us off guard with the other side of battlefield lined with highly potent enemy. If any invasion happens by bacteria this time, the damage to the human race will be huge. We have to line the shore with newer and better drugs before the waves hit.

Innovation in devices and instruments

Technology has hastened the development of new instruments and they range from the earliest of X-rays to the newest of portable ultrasounds robotic surgeries and what not. Even with an exceptional growth, this arena still remains the hotspot and the scope of development is enormous. India with its strong technological infrastructure can surpass all expectations.

However, the catch is not just in development of costly technological advancements, but also it is in developing cheaper alternatives and only then will the benefits of science trickle down to the poorest of the poor. Another ‘Jaipur Foot’is needed.

Innovation in delivery of healthcare services

Innovation in this area is the least talked about and intellectuals all over have focussed on inventing newer devices and drugs. However, India suffers more due to the inaccessibility of drugs rather than the unavailability of it and performs equally bad when it comes to Doctor:Patient ratio. Newer ideas and initiatives are required for the delivery of healthcare services and also to generate awareness about them as without this basic initiative all other innovations are futile. If we look at the statistics, then India has shown improvement in terms of health indicators compared to the time of independence. The initial improvement was because of benefits of medical science; however, now, after 71 years of independence, the statistics are not good. What we need now is robust infrastructural development. The healthcare department has to achieve the four A's so that every future development quickly reaches the masses.

Need to quantify broader meaning of health

Health as per the World Health Organization is not only limited to physical well-being but also encompasses mental and social health with an upcoming concept of spiritual health. What these concepts lack is objectivity and quantifiability and are more or less vaguely defined. In the absence of sufficient index, it is difficult to understand the extent of disease in people and if the government policies aimed at improving the conditions are of any help.

This is a recognized but unexplored area, and urgent path-breaking improvements in this field are what the nation needs.

Innovation in preventive health

Prevention is recognized as the last resort to stop the development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), but the ever rising number of patients with NCDs clearly exemplifies that the strategies undertaken could not achieve the set target. Increasing influence of western lifestyle has led India to the verge of becoming the world capital of NCDs. Better preventive strategies and an even better implementation of these are the need of the hour.

Issues and challenges

The global innovation index ranks India at the 580 th position, and we owe this sorry state to not one but many factors.

Lack of investment

With as less as 0.7 per cent of the budget allocated to research and development, every useful investigation suffers roadblocks all through the way. As a result, there is brain-drain of good human capital to other countries.

Education system

With its roots in the Macaulay system, our education focuses on producing brain that can just reproduce learnt stuff as and when required. It fails to inculcate creativity and curiosity in young minds which are the foundation stones for any innovation.

Environment of innovation

Lack of financial and supportive environment forces parents to send their child to more rewarding jobs. As a result, the field of research is quickly going down as a career option.

Technical issues such as patents and finances

Patent laws, ethical clearance, etc. are more of restrictive than a pro-research approach. This kills the young innovators and their innovations in budding stages only. They also face a lack of knowledge and source to get finances to develop these innovations into working business models. Frankly then, research does not provide a good future for them to pursue.

Any solution for promotion of innovation?

With every lock comes a key, the key for these issues hampering innovation lies in innovation itself. We need first to invent new ideas to fasten the pace of innovation in India. Not one but many solutions are there:

To promote research, finances need to be strengthened or rather ‘financial autonomy’ should be provided to research institutions. This makes them not only more confident but also more independent too.

Education curriculum needs a re-evaluation and should become more creative in their approach. Once the students start questioning the existing knowledge, then only ideas such as evidence-based medicine become successful. Questioning needs to be encouraged only then the environment will develop. E-medicine or telemedicine is the potential solution for problems of healthcare delivery as they help in achieving the four A's. These decrease the burden on the doctor and at the same time increase the reach of health services to far-flung areas and physically handicapped people. This also decreases the cost of service and provides availability of quality doctors and useful medicines at your doorstep. Moreover, patenting laws should be made more consumer-friendly when it comes to essential drugs. This will prevent the big pharmaceutical companies from extracting unreasonable prices from consumers. Relaxation of patent laws on its own will enable development of cheaper devices and instruments too.

Recent steps undertaken by the government were encouraging but not enough and still a long way to go to achieve these goals. Mobile apps or computer programmes may be developed with evidence-based algorithms and thus allows patients to self-diagnose for basic condition and automatically call for physicians’ help if needed. This will drastically improve the inefficiency created due to low doctor-patient ratio. Innovation indices or list should be published such as recently published list by ‘Cleveland Clinics Medical Innovation Summit’. This will not only encourage innovators but will also provide positive reinforcement too.

In a nutshell, innovation is needed at all levels from individual to family, to society and finally at a nationwide level. No matter in what measures be it big or small, new ideas and newer initiatives will lead India to become the global capital of innovations. It is no longer the survival of the fittest; it is the survival of the unorthodox, of the unconventional and of the unprecedented and the most ingenious of minds. Hence, learn to survive India, learn to innovate.

Conflicts of Interest : None.

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What Is a Medical Technologist (and How Do I Become One)?

Medical technologists test fluid and tissue samples to help physicians properly diagnose and treat their patients. Read more about this healthcare career, including tips on how to get started.

Medical technologists are similar to behind-the-scenes medical detectives. They're highly trained, highly skilled scientists who perform tests to help physicians diagnose and treat diseases—an important role in the health services world. 

Let’s take a closer look at what medical technologists do, their educational requirements, and the skills they need to help you decide if this is a field you’d like to pursue. 

What do medical technologists do?

At a lab or doctor’s office, medical technologists are behind-the-scenes testing and analyzing body fluids (like blood and urine) and tissue samples. These laboratory test results aid in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. 

Medical technologists, also called medical laboratory scientists, clinical laboratory technologists, or technicians, often work in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, physicians’ offices, outpatient care centers, or school campuses. If you work in a small laboratory or clinic, you might perform a variety of tests. In a larger setting, it’s more common to specialize. Some specialization options include:

Blood bank or immunohematology technologists collect, classify and prepare blood for transfusions.

Immunology technologists analyze samples involving the human immune system and its responses to foreign bodies.

Chemistry technologists prepare specimens and analyze the chemical and hormonal contents of body fluids.

Cytotechnologists examine body cells under a microscope for abnormalities (such as cancer).

Microbiology technologists examine and identify bacteria and other microorganisms.

Medical technologist salary

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for clinical laboratory technologists in the US in 2021 was $57,800 [ 1 ]. This may vary based on the type of facility you work in, where you’re located, and how much experience you have. The BLS predicts that jobs will grow by 11 percent between 2020 and 2030, which is faster than average [ 1 ]. 

How to become a medical technologist

Several paths can lead you to a career as a medical technologist. If you’re interested in a career in this field, there are some steps you can take to get started.

1. Earn your degree.

Medical technologists typically hold a bachelor’s degree in medical technology, related life science field, or another scientific field. Some schools offer science degrees with an option to specialize in medical technology. Typical courses you can expect to take include general chemistry , organic chemistry, hematology and immunology, biology, and statistics.

2. Complete a medical technologist program.

You may need to complete a medical technology program that's accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAA-CLS). These programs are designed to augment the knowledge you already have with job-specific knowledge and skills, including diagnostic testing, molecular diagnostics, clinical chemistry, and immunohematology.

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3. Research licensing requirements.

Multiple states require medical technologists to get a license before they can work in a laboratory setting. The requirements vary from state to state but typically include paying an annual or bi-annual fee, completing professional competency requirements, and engaging in continuing education. Check with your state’s department of health to determine if you need to apply for a license.  

4. Get certified.

Getting certified is a requirement for licensure in some states. It may also give you a competitive edge while searching for a job because it provides concrete evidence of your professional capabilities. You can seek certification through the American Society for Clinical Pathology for a variety of specializations. Alternatively, you could become a certified medical technologist through American Medical Technologists.

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Explore whether a career in health care may be a good fit for you by taking Career 911: Your Future Job in Medicine and Healthcare from Northwestern. Dig deeper into the topics you may work with as a medical technologist through courses like Introduction to the Biology of Cancer from Johns Hopkins University or Fundamentals of Immunology Specialization from Rice.

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US Bureau of Labor Statistics. " Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians , https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicians.htm#tab-1." Accessed April 22, 2022.

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10 Successful Medical School Essays

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-- Accepted to: Harvard Medical School GPA: 4.0 MCAT: 522

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I started writing in 8th grade when a friend showed me her poetry about self-discovery and finding a voice. I was captivated by the way she used language to bring her experiences to life. We began writing together in our free time, trying to better understand ourselves by putting a pen to paper and attempting to paint a picture with words. I felt my style shift over time as I grappled with challenges that seemed to defy language. My poems became unstructured narratives, where I would use stories of events happening around me to convey my thoughts and emotions. In one of my earliest pieces, I wrote about a local boy’s suicide to try to better understand my visceral response. I discussed my frustration with the teenage social hierarchy, reflecting upon my social interactions while exploring the harms of peer pressure.

In college, as I continued to experiment with this narrative form, I discovered medical narratives. I have read everything from Manheimer’s Bellevue to Gawande’s Checklist and from Nuland’s observations about the way we die, to Kalanithi’s struggle with his own decline. I even experimented with this approach recently, writing a piece about my grandfather’s emphysema. Writing allowed me to move beyond the content of our relationship and attempt to investigate the ways time and youth distort our memories of the ones we love. I have augmented these narrative excursions with a clinical bioethics internship. In working with an interdisciplinary team of ethics consultants, I have learned by doing by participating in care team meetings, synthesizing discussions and paths forward in patient charts, and contributing to an ongoing legislative debate addressing the challenges of end of life care. I have also seen the ways ineffective intra-team communication and inter-personal conflicts of beliefs can compromise patient care.

Writing allowed me to move beyond the content of our relationship and attempt to investigate the ways time and youth distort our memories of the ones we love.

By assessing these difficult situations from all relevant perspectives and working to integrate the knowledge I’ve gained from exploring narratives, I have begun to reflect upon the impact the humanities can have on medical care. In a world that has become increasingly data driven, where patients can so easily devolve into lists of numbers and be forced into algorithmic boxes in search of an exact diagnosis, my synergistic narrative and bioethical backgrounds have taught me the importance of considering the many dimensions of the human condition. I am driven to become a physician who deeply considers a patient’s goal of care and goals of life. I want to learn to build and lead patient care teams that are oriented toward fulfilling these goals, creating an environment where family and clinician conflict can be addressed efficiently and respectfully. Above all, I look forward to using these approaches to keep the person beneath my patients in focus at each stage of my medical training, as I begin the task of translating complex basic science into excellent clinical care.

In her essay for medical school, Morgan pitches herself as a future physician with an interdisciplinary approach, given her appreciation of how the humanities can enable her to better understand her patients. Her narrative takes the form of an origin story, showing how a childhood interest in poetry grew into a larger mindset to keep a patient’s humanity at the center of her approach to clinical care.

This narrative distinguishes Morgan as a candidate for medical school effectively, as she provides specific examples of how her passions intersect with medicine. She first discusses how she used poetry to process her emotional response to a local boy’s suicide and ties in concern about teenage mental health. Then, she discusses more philosophical questions she encountered through reading medical narratives, which demonstrates her direct interest in applying writing and the humanities to medicine. By making the connection from this larger theme to her own reflections on her grandfather, Morgan provides a personal insight that will give an admissions officer a window into her character. This demonstrates her empathy for her future patients and commitment to their care.

Her narrative takes the form of an origin story, showing how a childhood interest in poetry grew into a larger mindset to keep a patient's humanity at the center of her approach to clinical care.

Furthermore, it is important to note that Morgan’s essay does not repeat anything in-depth that would otherwise be on her resume. She makes a reference to her work in care team meetings through a clinical bioethics internship, but does not focus on this because there are other places on her application where this internship can be discussed. Instead, she offers a more reflection-based perspective on the internship that goes more in-depth than a resume or CV could. This enables her to explain the reasons for interdisciplinary approach to medicine with tangible examples that range from personal to professional experiences — an approach that presents her as a well-rounded candidate for medical school.

Disclaimer: With exception of the removal of identifying details, essays are reproduced as originally submitted in applications; any errors in submissions are maintained to preserve the integrity of the piece. The Crimson's news and opinion teams—including writers, editors, photographers, and designers—were not involved in the production of this article.

-- Accepted To: A medical school in New Jersey with a 3% acceptance rate. GPA: 3.80 MCAT: 502 and 504

Sponsored by E fiie Consulting Group : “ EFIIE ” boasts 100% match rate for all premedical and predental registered students. Not all students are accepted unto their pre-health student roster. Considered the most elite in the industry and assists from start to end – premed to residency. EFIIE is a one-stop-full-service education firm.

"To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." – Ralph Waldo Emerson.

The tribulations I've overcome in my life have manifested in the compassion, curiosity, and courage that is embedded in my personality. Even a horrific mishap in my life has not changed my core beliefs and has only added fuel to my intense desire to become a doctor. My extensive service at an animal hospital, a harrowing personal experience, and volunteering as an EMT have increased my appreciation and admiration for the medical field.

At thirteen, I accompanied my father to the Park Home Animal Hospital with our eleven-year-old dog, Brendan. He was experiencing severe pain due to an osteosarcoma, which ultimately led to the difficult decision to put him to sleep. That experience brought to light many questions regarding the idea of what constitutes a "quality of life" for an animal and what importance "dignity" plays to an animal and how that differs from owner to owner and pet to pet. Noting my curiosity and my relative maturity in the matter, the owner of the animal hospital invited me to shadow the professional staff. Ten years later, I am still part of the team, having made the transition from volunteer to veterinarian technician. Saving a life, relieving pain, sharing in the euphoria of animal and owner reuniting after a procedure, to understanding the emotions of losing a loved one – my life was forever altered from the moment I stepped into that animal hospital.

As my appreciation for medical professionals continued to grow, a horrible accident created an indelible moment in my life. It was a warm summer day as I jumped onto a small boat captained by my grandfather. He was on his way to refill the boat's gas tank at the local marina, and as he pulled into the dock, I proceeded to make a dire mistake. As the line was thrown from the dock, I attempted to cleat the bowline prematurely, and some of the most intense pain I've ever felt in my life ensued.

Saving a life, relieving pain, sharing in the euphoria of animal and owner reuniting after a procedure, to understanding the emotions of losing a loved one – my life was forever altered from the moment I stepped into that animal hospital.

"Call 911!" I screamed, half-dazed as I witnessed blood gushing out of my open wounds, splashing onto the white fiberglass deck of the boat, forming a small puddle beneath my feet. I was instructed to raise my hand to reduce the bleeding, while someone wrapped an icy towel around the wound. The EMTs arrived shortly after and quickly drove me to an open field a short distance away, where a helicopter seemed to instantaneously appear.

The medevac landed on the roof of Stony Brook Hospital before I was expeditiously wheeled into the operating room for a seven-hour surgery to reattach my severed fingers. The distal phalanges of my 3rd and 4th fingers on my left hand had been torn off by the rope tightening on the cleat. I distinctly remember the chill from the cold metal table, the bright lights of the OR, and multiple doctors and nurses scurrying around. The skill and knowledge required to execute multiple skin graft surgeries were impressive and eye-opening. My shortened fingers often raise questions by others; however, they do not impair my self-confidence or physical abilities. The positive outcome of this trial was the realization of my intense desire to become a medical professional.

Despite being the patient, I was extremely impressed with the dedication, competence, and cohesiveness of the medical team. I felt proud to be a critical member of such a skilled group. To this day, I still cannot explain the dichotomy of experiencing being the patient, and concurrently one on the professional team, committed to saving the patient. Certainly, this experience was a defining part of my life and one of the key contributors to why I became an EMT and a volunteer member of the Sample Volunteer Ambulance Corps. The startling ring of the pager, whether it is to respond to an inebriated alcoholic who is emotionally distraught or to help bring breath to a pulseless person who has been pulled from the family swimming pool, I am committed to EMS. All of these events engender the same call to action and must be reacted to with the same seriousness, intensity, and magnanimity. It may be some routine matter or a dire emergency; this is a role filled with uncertainty and ambiguity, but that is how I choose to spend my days. My motives to become a physician are deeply seeded. They permeate my personality and emanate from my desire to respond to the needs of others. Through a traumatic personal event and my experiences as both a professional and volunteer, I have witnessed firsthand the power to heal the wounded and offer hope. Each person defines success in different ways. To know even one life has been improved by my actions affords me immense gratification and meaning. That is success to me and why I want to be a doctor.

This review is provided by EFIIE Consulting Group’s Pre-Health Senior Consultant Jude Chan

This student was a joy to work with — she was also the lowest MCAT profile I ever accepted onto my roster. At 504 on the second attempt (502 on her first) it would seem impossible and unlikely to most that she would be accepted into an allopathic medical school. Even for an osteopathic medical school this score could be too low. Additionally, the student’s GPA was considered competitive at 3.80, but it was from a lower ranked, less known college, so naturally most advisors would tell this student to go on and complete a master’s or postbaccalaureate program to show that she could manage upper level science classes. Further, she needed to retake the MCAT a third time.

However, I saw many other facets to this student’s history and life that spoke volumes about the type of student she was, and this was the positioning strategy I used for her file. Students who read her personal statement should know that acceptance is contingent on so much more than just an essay and MCAT score or GPA. Although many students have greater MCAT scores than 504 and higher GPAs than 3.80, I have helped students with lower scores and still maintained our 100% match rate. You are competing with thousands of candidates. Not every student out there requires our services and we are actually grateful that we can focus on a limited amount out of the tens of thousands that do. We are also here for the students who wish to focus on learning well the organic chemistry courses and physics courses and who want to focus on their research and shadowing opportunities rather than waste time deciphering the next step in this complex process. We tailor a pathway for each student dependent on their health care career goals, and our partnerships with non-profit organizations, hospitals, physicians and research labs allow our students to focus on what matters most — the building up of their basic science knowledge and their exposure to patients and patient care.

Students who read her personal statement should know that acceptance is contingent on so much more than just an essay and MCAT score or GPA.

Even students who believe that their struggle somehow disqualifies them from their dream career in health care can be redeemed if they are willing to work for it, just like this student with 502 and 504 MCAT scores. After our first consult, I saw a way to position her to still be accepted into an MD school in the US — I would not have recommended she register to our roster if I did not believe we could make a difference. Our rosters have a waitlist each semester, and it is in our best interest to be transparent with our students and protect our 100% record — something I consider a win-win. It is unethical to ever guarantee acceptance in admissions as we simply do not control these decisions. However, we respect it, play by the rules, and help our students stay one step ahead by creating an applicant profile that would be hard for the schools to ignore.

This may be the doctor I go to one day. Or the nurse or dentist my children or my grandchildren goes to one day. That is why it is much more than gaining acceptance — it is about properly matching the student to the best options for their education. Gaining an acceptance and being incapable of getting through the next 4 or 8 years (for my MD/PhD-MSTP students) is nonsensical.

-- Accepted To: Imperial College London UCAT Score: 2740 BMAT Score: 3.9, 5.4, 3.5A

My motivation to study Medicine stems from wishing to be a cog in the remarkable machine that is universal healthcare: a system which I saw first-hand when observing surgery in both the UK and Sri Lanka. Despite the differences in sanitation and technology, the universality of compassion became evident. When volunteering at OSCE training days, I spoke to many medical students, who emphasised the importance of a genuine interest in the sciences when studying Medicine. As such, I have kept myself informed of promising developments, such as the use of monoclonal antibodies in cancer therapy. After learning about the role of HeLa cells in the development of the polio vaccine in Biology, I read 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks' to find out more. Furthermore, I read that surface protein CD4 can be added to HeLa cells, allowing them to be infected with HIV, opening the possibility of these cells being used in HIV research to produce more life-changing drugs, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PreP). Following my BioGrad laboratory experience in HIV testing, and time collating data for research into inflammatory markers in lung cancer, I am also interested in pursuing a career in medical research. However, during a consultation between an ENT surgeon and a thyroid cancer patient, I learnt that practising medicine needs more than a scientific aptitude. As the surgeon explained that the cancer had metastasised to her liver, I watched him empathetically tailor his language for the patient - he avoided medical jargon and instead gave her time to come to terms with this. I have been developing my communication skills by volunteering weekly at care homes for 3 years, which has improved my ability to read body language and structure conversations to engage with the residents, most of whom have dementia.

However, during a consultation between an ENT surgeon and a thyroid cancer patient, I learnt that practising medicine needs more than a scientific aptitude.

Jude’s essay provides a very matter-of-fact account of their experience as a pre-medical student. However, they deepen this narrative by merging two distinct cultures through some common ground: a universality of compassion. Using clear, concise language and a logical succession of events — much like a doctor must follow when speaking to patients — Jude shows their motivation to go into the medical field.

From their OSCE training days to their school’s Science society, Jude connects their analytical perspective — learning about HeLa cells — to something that is relatable and human, such as a poor farmer’s notable contribution to science. This approach provides a gateway into their moral compass without having to explicitly state it, highlighting their fervent desire to learn how to interact and communicate with others when in a position of authority.

Using clear, concise language and a logical succession of events — much like a doctor must follow when speaking to patients — Jude shows their motivation to go into the medical field.

Jude’s closing paragraph reminds the reader of the similarities between two countries like the UK and Sri Lanka, and the importance of having a universal healthcare system that centers around the just and “world-class” treatment of patients. Overall, this essay showcases Jude’s personal initiative to continue to learn more and do better for the people they serve.

While the essay could have benefited from better transitions to weave Jude’s experiences into a personal story, its strong grounding in Jude’s motivation makes for a compelling application essay.

-- Accepted to: Weill Cornell Medical College GPA: 3.98 MCAT: 521

Sponsored by E fie Consulting Group : “ EFIIE ” boasts 100% match rate for all premedical and predental registered students. Not all students are accepted unto their pre-health student roster. Considered the most elite in the industry and assists from start to end – premed to residency. EFIIE is a one-stop-full-service education firm.

Following the physician’s unexpected request, we waited outside, anxiously waiting to hear the latest update on my father’s condition. It was early on in my father’s cancer progression – a change that had shaken our entire way of life overnight. During those 18 months, while my mother spent countless nights at the hospital, I took on the responsibility of caring for my brother. My social life became of minimal concern, and the majority of my studying for upcoming 12th- grade exams was done at the hospital. We were allowed back into the room as the physician walked out, and my parents updated us on the situation. Though we were a tight-knit family and my father wanted us to be present throughout his treatment, what this physician did was give my father a choice. Without making assumptions about who my father wanted in the room, he empowered him to make that choice independently in private. It was this respect directed towards my father, the subsequent efforts at caring for him, and the personal relationship of understanding they formed, that made the largest impact on him. Though my decision to pursue medicine came more than a year later, I deeply valued what these physicians were doing for my father, and I aspired to make a similar impact on people in the future.

It was during this period that I became curious about the human body, as we began to learn physiology in more depth at school. In previous years, the problem-based approach I could take while learning math and chemistry were primarily what sparked my interest. However, I became intrigued by how molecular interactions translated into large-scale organ function, and how these organ systems integrated together to generate the extraordinary physiological functions we tend to under-appreciate. I began my undergraduate studies with the goal of pursuing these interests, whilst leaning towards a career in medicine. While I was surprised to find that there were upwards of 40 programs within the life sciences that I could pursue, it broadened my perspective and challenged me to explore my options within science and healthcare. I chose to study pathobiology and explore my interests through hospital volunteering and research at the end of my first year.

Though my decision to pursue medicine came more than a year later, I deeply valued what these physicians were doing for my father, and I aspired to make a similar impact on people in the future.

While conducting research at St. Michael’s Hospital, I began to understand methods of data collection and analysis, and the thought process of scientific inquiry. I became acquainted with the scientific literature, and the experience transformed how I thought about the concepts I was learning in lecture. However, what stood out to me that summer was the time spent shadowing my supervisor in the neurosurgery clinic. It was where I began to fully understand what life would be like as a physician, and where the career began to truly appeal to me. What appealed to me most was the patient-oriented collaboration and discussions between my supervisor and his fellow; the physician-patient relationship that went far beyond diagnoses and treatments; and the problem solving that I experienced first-hand while being questioned on disease cases.

The day spent shadowing in the clinic was also the first time I developed a relationship with a patient. We were instructed to administer the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) test to patients as they awaited the neurosurgeon. My task was to convey the instructions as clearly as possible and score each section. I did this as best I could, adapting my explanation to each patient, and paying close attention to their responses to ensure I was understood. The last patient was a challenging case, given a language barrier combined with his severe hydrocephalus. It was an emotional time for his family, seeing their father/husband struggle to complete simple tasks and subsequently give up. I encouraged him to continue trying. But I also knew my words would not remedy the condition underlying his struggles. All I could do was make attempts at lightening the atmosphere as I got to know him and his family better. Hours later, as I saw his remarkable improvement following a lumbar puncture, and the joy on his and his family’s faces at his renewed ability to walk independently, I got a glimpse of how rewarding it would be to have the ability and privilege to care for such patients. By this point, I knew I wanted to commit to a life in medicine. Two years of weekly hospital volunteering have allowed me to make a small difference in patients’ lives by keeping them company through difficult times, and listening to their concerns while striving to help in the limited way that I could. I want to have the ability to provide care and treatment on a daily basis as a physician. Moreover, my hope is that the breadth of medicine will provide me with the opportunity to make an impact on a larger scale. Whilst attending conferences on neuroscience and surgical technology, I became aware of the potential to make a difference through healthcare, and I look forward to developing the skills necessary to do so through a Master’s in Global Health. Whether through research, health innovation, or public health, I hope not only to care for patients with the same compassion with which physicians cared for my father, but to add to the daily impact I can have by tackling large-scale issues in health.

Taylor’s essay offers both a straightforward, in-depth narrative and a deep analysis of his experiences, which effectively reveals his passion and willingness to learn in the medical field. The anecdote of Taylor’s father gives the reader insight into an original instance of learning through experience and clearly articulates Taylor’s motivations for becoming a compassionate and respectful physician.

Taylor strikes an impeccable balance between discussing his accomplishments and his character. All of his life experiences — and the difficult challenges he overcame — introduce the reader to an important aspect of Taylor’s personality: his compassion, care for his family, and power of observation in reflecting on the decisions his father’s doctor makes. His description of his time volunteering at St. Michael’s Hospital is indicative of Taylor’s curiosity about medical research, but also of his recognition of the importance of the patient-physician relationship. Moreover, he shows how his volunteer work enabled him to see how medicine goes “beyond diagnoses and treatments” — an observation that also speaks to his compassion.

His description of his time volunteering at St. Michael's Hospital is indicative of Taylor's curiosity about medical research, but also of his recognition of the importance of the patient-physician relationship.

Finally, Taylor also tells the reader about his ambition and purpose, which is important when thinking about applying to medical school. He discusses his hope of tackling larger scale problems through any means possible in medicine. This notion of using self interest to better the world is imperative to a successful college essay, and it is nicely done here.

-- Accepted to: Washington University

Sponsored by A dmitRx : We are a group of Chicago-based medical students who realize how challenging medical school admissions can be, so we want to provide our future classmates with resources we wish we had. Our mission at AdmitRx is to provide pre-medical students with affordable, personalized, high-quality guidance towards becoming an admitted medical student.

Running has always been one of my greatest passions whether it be with friends or alone with my thoughts. My dad has always been my biggest role model and was the first to introduce me to the world of running. We entered races around the country, and one day he invited me on a run that changed my life forever. The St. Jude Run is an annual event that raises millions of dollars for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. My dad has led or our local team for as long as I can remember, and I had the privilege to join when I was 16. From the first step I knew this was the environment for me – people from all walks of life united with one goal of ending childhood cancer. I had an interest in medicine before the run, and with these experiences I began to consider oncology as a career. When this came up in conversations, I would invariably be faced with the question “Do you really think you could get used to working with dying kids?” My 16-year-old self responded with something noble but naïve like “It’s important work, so I’ll have to handle it”. I was 16 years young with my plan to become an oncologist at St. Jude.

As I transitioned into college my plans for oncology were alive and well. I began working in a biochemistry lab researching new anti-cancer drugs. It was a small start, but I was overjoyed to be a part of the process. I applied to work at a number of places for the summer, but the Pediatric Oncology Education program (POE) at St. Jude was my goal. One afternoon, I had just returned from class and there it was: an email listed as ‘POE Offer’. I was ecstatic and accepted the offer immediately. Finally, I could get a glimpse at what my future holds. My future PI, Dr. Q, specialized in solid tumor translational research and I couldn’t wait to get started.

I was 16 years young with my plan to become an oncologist at St. Jude.

Summer finally came, I moved to Memphis, and I was welcomed by the X lab. I loved translational research because the results are just around the corner from helping patients. We began a pre-clinical trial of a new chemotherapy regimen and the results were looking terrific. I was also able to accompany Dr. Q whenever she saw patients in the solid tumor division. Things started simple with rounds each morning before focusing on the higher risk cases. I was fortunate enough to get to know some of the patients quite well, and I could sometimes help them pass the time with a game or two on a slow afternoon between treatments. These experiences shined a very human light on a field I had previously seen only through a microscope in a lab.

I arrived one morning as usual, but Dr. Q pulled me aside before rounds. She said one of the patients we had been seeing passed away in the night. I held my composure in the moment, but I felt as though an anvil was crushing down on me. It was tragic but I knew loss was part of the job, so I told myself to push forward. A few days later, I had mostly come to terms with what happened, but then the anvil came crashing back down with the passing of another patient. I could scarcely hold back the tears this time. That moment, it didn’t matter how many miraculous successes were happening a few doors down. Nothing overshadowed the loss, and there was no way I could ‘get used to it’ as my younger self had hoped.

I was still carrying the weight of what had happened and it was showing, so I asked Dr. Q for help. How do you keep smiling each day? How do you get used to it? The questions in my head went on. What I heard next changed my perspective forever. She said you keep smiling because no matter what happened, you’re still hope for the next patient. It’s not about getting used to it. You never get used to it and you shouldn’t. Beating cancer takes lifetimes, and you can’t look passed a life’s worth of hardships. I realized that moving passed the loss of patients would never suffice, but I need to move forward with them. Through the successes and shortcomings, we constantly make progress. I like to imagine that in all our future endeavors, it is the hands of those who have gone before us that guide the way. That is why I want to attend medical school and become a physician. We may never end the sting of loss, but physicians are the bridge between the past and the future. No where else is there the chance to learn from tragedy and use that to shape a better future. If I can learn something from one loss, keep moving forward, and use that knowledge to help even a single person – save one life, bring a moment of joy, avoid a moment of pain—then that is how I want to spend my life.

The change wasn’t overnight. The next loss still brought pain, but I took solace in moving forward so that we might learn something to give hope to a future patient. I returned to campus in a new lab doing cancer research, and my passion for medicine continues to flourish. I still think about all the people I encountered at St. Jude, especially those we lost. It might be a stretch, but during the long hours at the lab bench I still picture their hands moving through mine each step of the way. I could never have foreseen where the first steps of the St. Jude Run would bring me. I’m not sure where the road to becoming a physician may lead, but with helping hands guiding the way, I won’t be running it alone.

This essay, a description of the applicant’s intellectual challenges, displays the hardships of tending to cancer patients as a milestone of experience and realization of what it takes to be a physician. The writer explores deeper ideas beyond medicine, such as dealing with patient deaths in a way to progress and improve as a professional. In this way, the applicant gives the reader some insight into the applicant’s mindset, and their ability to think beyond the surface for ways to become better at what they do.

However, the essay fails to zero in on the applicant’s character, instead elaborating on life events that weakly illustrate the applicant’s growth as a physician. The writer’s mantra (“keep moving forward”) is feebly projected, and seems unoriginal due to the lack of a personalized connection between the experience at St. Jude and how that led to the applicant’s growth and mindset changes.

The writer explores deeper ideas beyond medicine, such as dealing with patient deaths in a way to progress and improve as a professional.

The writer, by only focusing on grief brought from patient deaths at St. Jude, misses out on the opportunity to further describe his or her experience at the hospital and portray an original, well-rounded image of his or her strengths, weaknesses, and work ethic.

The applicant ends the essay by attempting to highlight the things they learned at St. Jude, but fails to organize the ideas into a cohesive, comprehensible section. These ideas are also too abstract, and are vague indicators of the applicant’s character that are difficult to grasp.

-- Accepted to: New York University School of Medicine

Sponsored by MedEdits : MedEdits Medical Admissions has been helping applicants get into medical schools like Harvard for more than ten years. Structured like an academic medical department, MedEdits has experts in admissions, writing, editing, medicine, and interview prep working with you collaboratively so you can earn the best admissions results possible.

“Is this the movie you were talking about Alice?” I said as I showed her the movie poster on my iPhone. “Oh my God, I haven’t seen that poster in over 70 years,” she said with her arms trembling in front of her. Immediately, I sat up straight and started to question further. We were talking for about 40 minutes, and the most exciting thing she brought up in that time was the new flavor of pudding she had for lunch. All of sudden, she’s back in 1940 talking about what it was like to see this movie after school for only 5¢ a ticket! After an engaging discussion about life in the 40’s, I knew I had to indulge her. Armed with a plethora of movie streaming sights, I went to work scouring the web. No luck. The movie, “My Son My Son,” was apparently not in high demand amongst torrenting teens. I had to entreat my older brother for his Amazon Prime account to get a working stream. However, breaking up the monotony and isolation felt at the nursing home with a simple movie was worth the pandering.

While I was glad to help a resident have some fun, I was partly motivated by how much Alice reminded me of my own grandfather. In accordance with custom, my grandfather was to stay in our house once my grandmother passed away. More specifically, he stayed in my room and my bed. Just like grandma’s passing, my sudden roommate was a rough transition. In 8th grade at the time, I considered myself to be a generally good guy. Maybe even good enough to be a doctor one day. I volunteered at the hospital, shadowed regularly, and had a genuine interest for science. However, my interest in medicine was mostly restricted to academia. To be honest, I never had a sustained exposure to the palliative side of medicine until the arrival of my new roommate.

The two years I slept on that creaky wooden bed with him was the first time my metal was tested. Sharing that room, I was the one to take care of him. I was the one to rub ointment on his back, to feed him when I came back from school, and to empty out his spittoon when it got full. It was far from glamorous, and frustrating most of the time. With 75 years separating us, and senile dementia setting in, he would often forget who I was or where he was. Having to remind him that I was his grandson threatened to erode at my resolve. Assured by my Syrian Orthodox faith, I even prayed about it; asking God for comfort and firmness on my end. Over time, I grew slow to speak and eager to listen as he started to ramble more and more about bits and pieces of the past. If I was lucky, I would be able to stich together a narrative that may or may have not been true. In any case, my patience started to bud beyond my age group.

Having to remind him that I was his grandson threatened to erode at my resolve.

Although I grew more patient with his disease, my curiosity never really quelled. Conversely, it developed further alongside my rapidly growing interest in the clinical side of medicine. Naturally, I became drawn to a neurology lab in college where I got to study pathologies ranging from atrophy associated with schizophrenia, and necrotic lesions post stroke. However, unlike my intro biology courses, my work at the neurology lab was rooted beyond the academics. Instead, I found myself driven by real people who could potentially benefit from our research. In particular, my shadowing experience with Dr. Dominger in the Veteran’s home made the patient more relevant in our research as I got to encounter geriatric patients with age related diseases, such as Alzhimer’s and Parkinson’s. Furthermore, I had the privilege of of talking to the families of a few of these patients to get an idea of the impact that these diseases had on the family structure. For me, the scut work in the lab meant a lot more with these families in mind than the tritium tracer we were using in the lab.

Despite my achievements in the lab and the classroom, my time with my grandfather still holds a special place in my life story. The more I think about him, the more confident I am in my decision to pursue a career where caring for people is just as important, if not more important, than excelling at academics. Although it was a lot of work, the years spent with him was critical in expanding my horizons both in my personal life and in the context of medicine. While I grew to be more patient around others, I also grew to appreciate medicine beyond the science. This more holistic understanding of medicine had a synergistic effect in my work as I gained a purpose behind the extra hours in the lab, sleepless nights in the library, and longer hours volunteering. I had a reason for what I was doing that may one day help me have long conversations with my own grandchildren about the price of popcorn in the 2000’s.

The most important thing to highlight in Avery’s essay is how he is able to create a duality between his interest in not only the clinical, more academic-based side of medicine, but also the field’s personal side.

He draws personal connections between working with Alice — a patient in a hospital or nursing home — and caring intensely for his grandfather. These two experiences build up the “synergistic” relationship between caring for people and studying the science behind medicine. In this way, he is able to clearly state his passions for medicine and explain his exact motives for entering the field. Furthermore, in his discussion of her grandfather, he effectively employs imagery (“rub ointment on his back,” “feed him when I came back from school,” etc.) to describe the actual work that he does, calling it initially as “far from glamorous, and frustrating most of the time.” By first mentioning his initial impression, then transitioning into how he grew to appreciate the experience, Avery is able to demonstrate a strength of character, sense of enormous responsibility and capability, and open-minded attitude.

He draws personal connections between working with Alice — a patient in a hospital or nursing home — and caring intensely for his grandfather.

Later in the essay, Avery is also able to relate his time caring for his grandfather to his work with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s patients, showcasing the social impact of his work, as the reader is likely already familiar with the biological impact of the work. This takes Avery’s essay full circle, bringing it back to how a discussion with an elderly patient about the movies reminds him of why he chose to pursue medicine.

That said, the essay does feel rushed near the end, as the writer was likely trying to remain within the word count. There could be a more developed transition before Avery introduces the last sentence about “conversations with my own grandchildren,” especially as a strong essay ending is always recommended.

-- Accepted To: Saint Louis University Medical School Direct Admission Medical Program

Sponsored by Atlas Admissions : Atlas Admissions provides expert medical school admissions consulting and test preparation services. Their experienced, physician-driven team consistently delivers top results by designing comprehensive, personalized strategies to optimize applications. Atlas Admissions is based in Boston, MA and is trusted by clients worldwide.

The tension in the office was tangible. The entire team sat silently sifting through papers as Dr. L introduced Adam, a 60-year-old morbidly obese man recently admitted for a large open wound along his chest. As Dr. L reviewed the details of the case, his prognosis became even bleaker: hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cardiomyopathy, hyperlipidemia; the list went on and on. As the humdrum of the side-conversations came to a halt, and the shuffle of papers softened, the reality of Adam’s situation became apparent. Adam had a few months to live at best, a few days at worst. To make matters worse, Adam’s insurance would not cover his treatment costs. With no job, family, or friends, he was dying poor and alone.

I followed Dr. L out of the conference room, unsure what would happen next. “Well,” she muttered hesitantly, “We need to make sure that Adam is on the same page as us.” It’s one thing to hear bad news, and another to hear it utterly alone. Dr. L frantically reviewed all of Adam’s paperwork desperately looking for someone to console him, someone to be at his side. As she began to make calls, I saw that being a physician calls for more than good grades and an aptitude for science: it requires maturity, sacrifice, and most of all, empathy. That empathy is exactly what I saw in Dr. L as she went out of her way to comfort a patient she met hardly 20 minutes prior.

Since high school, I’ve been fascinated by technology’s potential to improve healthcare. As a volunteer in [the] Student Ambassador program, I was fortunate enough to watch an open-heart surgery. Intrigued by the confluence of technology and medicine, I chose to study biomedical engineering. At [school], I wanted to help expand this interface, so I became involved with research through Dr. P’s lab by studying the applications of electrospun scaffolds for dermal wound healing. While still in the preliminary stages of research, I learned about the Disability Service Club (DSC) and decided to try something new by volunteering at a bowling outing.

As she began to make calls, I saw that being a physician calls for more than good grades and an aptitude for science: it requires maturity, sacrifice, and most of all, empathy.

The DSC promotes awareness of cognitive disabilities in the community and seeks to alleviate difficulties for the disabled. During one outing, I collaborated with Arc, a local organization with a similar mission. Walking in, I was told that my role was to support the participants by providing encouragement. I decided to help a relatively quiet group of individuals assisted by only one volunteer, Mary. Mary informed me that many individuals with whom I was working were diagnosed with ASD. Suddenly, she started cheering, as one of the members of the group bowled a strike. The group went wild. Everyone was dancing, singing, and rejoicing. Then I noticed one gentleman sitting at our table, solemn-faced. I tried to start a conversation with him, but he remained unresponsive. I sat with him for the rest of the game, trying my hardest to think of questions that would elicit more than a monosyllabic response, but to no avail. As the game ended, I stood up to say bye when he mumbled, “Thanks for talking.” Then he quickly turned his head away. I walked away beaming. Although I was unable to draw out a smile or even sustain a conversation, at the end of the day, the fact that this gentleman appreciated my mere effort completely overshadowed the awkwardness of our time together. Later that day, I realized that as much as I enjoyed the thrill of research and its applications, helping other people was what I was most passionate about.

When it finally came time to tell Adam about his deteriorating condition, I was not sure how he would react. Dr. L gently greeted him and slowly let reality take its toll. He stoically turned towards Dr. L and groaned, “I don’t really care. Just leave me alone.” Dr. L gave him a concerned nod and gradually left the room. We walked to the next room where we met with a pastor from Adam’s church.

“Adam’s always been like that,” remarked the pastor, “he’s never been one to express emotion.” We sat with his pastor for over an hour discussing how we could console Adam. It turned out that Adam was part of a motorcycle club, but recently quit because of his health. So, Dr. L arranged for motorcycle pictures and other small bike trinkets to be brought to his room as a reminder of better times.

Dr. L’s simple gesture reminded me of why I want to pursue medicine. There is something sacred, empowering, about providing support when people need it the most; whether it be simple as starting a conversation, or providing support during the most trying of times. My time spent conducting research kindled my interest in the science of medicine, and my service as a volunteer allowed me to realize how much I valued human interaction. Science and technology form the foundation of medicine, but to me, empathy is the essence. It is my combined interest in science and service that inspires me to pursue medicine. It is that combined interest that makes me aspire to be a physician.

Parker’s essay focuses on one central narrative with a governing theme of compassionate and attentive care for patients, which is the key motivator for her application to medical school. Parker’s story focuses on her volunteer experience shadowing of Dr. L who went the extra mile for Adam, which sets Dr. L up as a role model for Parker as she enters the medical field. This effectively demonstrates to the reader what kind of doctor Parker wants to be in the future.

Parker’s narrative has a clear beginning, middle, and end, making it easy for the reader to follow. She intersperses the main narrative about Adam with experiences she has with other patients and reflects upon her values as she contemplates pursuing medicine as a career. Her anecdote about bowling with the patients diagnosed with ASD is another instance where she uses a story to tell the reader why she values helping people through medicine and attentive patient care, especially as she focuses on the impact her work made on one man at the event.

Parker's story focuses on her volunteer experience shadowing of Dr. L who went the extra mile for Adam, which sets Dr. L up as a role model for Parker as she enters the medical field.

All throughout the essay, the writing is engaging and Parker incorporates excellent imagery, which goes well with her varied sentence structure. The essay is also strong because it comes back full circle at its conclusion, tying the overall narrative back to the story of Dr. L and Adam, which speaks to Parker’s motives for going to medical school.

-- Accepted To: Emory School of Medicine

Growing up, I enjoyed visiting my grandparents. My grandfather was an established doctor, helping the sick and elderly in rural Taiwan until two weeks before he died at 91 years old. His clinic was located on the first floor of the residency with an exam room, treatment room, X-ray room, and small pharmacy. Curious about his work, I would follow him to see his patients. Grandpa often asked me if I want to be a doctor just like him. I always smiled, but was more interested in how to beat the latest Pokémon game. I was in 8th grade when my grandfather passed away. I flew back to Taiwan to attend his funeral. It was a gloomy day and the only street in the small village became a mourning place for the villagers. Flowers filled the streets and people came to pay their respects. An old man told me a story: 60 years ago, a village woman was in a difficult labor. My grandfather rushed into the house and delivered a baby boy. That boy was the old man and he was forever grateful. Stories of grandpa saving lives and bringing happiness to families were told during the ceremony. At that moment, I realized why my grandfather worked so tirelessly up until his death as a physician. He did it for the reward of knowing that he kept a family together and saved a life. The ability for a doctor to heal and bring happiness is the reason why I want to study medicine. Medical school is the first step on a lifelong journey of learning, but I feel that my journey leading up to now has taught me some things of what it means to be an effective physician.

With a newfound purpose, I began volunteering and shadowing at my local hospital. One situation stood out when I was a volunteer in the cardiac stress lab. As I attached EKG leads onto a patient, suddenly the patient collapsed and started gasping for air. His face turned pale, then slightly blue. The charge nurse triggered “Code Blue” and started CPR. A team of doctors and nurses came, rushing in with a defibrillator to treat and stabilize the patient. What I noticed was that medicine was not only about one individual acting as a superhero to save a life, but that it takes a team of individuals with an effective leader, working together to deliver the best care. I want to be a leader as well as part of a team that can make a difference in a person’s life. I have refined these lessons about teamwork and leadership to my activities. In high school I was an 8 time varsity letter winner for swimming and tennis and captain of both of those teams. In college I have participated in many activities, but notably serving as assistant principle cellist in my school symphony as well as being a co-founding member of a quartet. From both my athletic experiences and my music experiences I learned what it was like to not only assert my position as a leader and to effectively communicate my views, but equally as important I learned how to compromise and listen to the opinions of others. Many physicians that I have observed show a unique blend of confidence and humility.

What I noticed was that medicine was not only about one individual acting as a superhero to save a life, but that it takes a team of individuals with an effective leader, working together to deliver the best care.

College opened me up to new perspectives on what makes a complete physician. A concept that was preached in the Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions in Medicine (GPPA) was that medicine is both an art and a science. The art of medicine deals with a variety of aspects including patient relationships as well as ethics. Besides my strong affinity for the sciences and mathematics, I always have had interest in history. I took courses in both German literature and history, which influenced me to take a class focusing on Nazi neuroscientists. It was the ideology of seeing the disabled and different races as test subjects rather than people that led to devastating lapses in medical ethics. The most surprising fact for me was that doctors who were respected and leaders in their field disregarded the humanity of patient and rather focused on getting results from their research. Speaking with Dr. Zeidman, the professor for this course, influenced me to start my research which deals with the ethical qualms of using data derived from unethical Nazi experimentation such as the brains derived from the adult and child euthanasia programs. Today, science is so result driven, it is important to keep in mind the ethics behind research and clinical practice. Also the development of personalized genomic medicine brings into question about potential privacy violations and on the extreme end discrimination. The study of ethics no matter the time period is paramount in the medical field. The end goal should always be to put the patient first.

Teaching experiences in college inspired me to become a physician educator if I become a doctor. Post-MCAT, I was offered a job by Next Step Test Prep as a tutor to help students one on one for the MCAT. I had a student who stated he was doing well during practice, but couldn’t get the correct answer during practice tests. Working with the student, I pointed out his lack of understanding concepts and this realization helped him and improves his MCAT score. Having the ability to educate the next generation of doctors is not only necessary, but also a rewarding experience.

My experiences volunteering and shadowing doctors in the hospital as well as my understanding of what it means to be a complete physician will make me a good candidate as a medical school student. It is my goal to provide the best care to patients and to put a smile on a family’s face just as my grandfather once had. Achieving this goal does not take a special miracle, but rather hard work, dedication, and an understanding of what it means to be an effective physician.

Through reflecting on various stages of life, Quinn expresses how they found purpose in pursuing medicine. Starting as a child more interested in Pokemon than their grandfather’s patients, Quinn exhibits personal growth through recognizing the importance of their grandfather’s work saving lives and eventually gaining the maturity to work towards this goal as part of a team.

This essay opens with abundant imagery — of the grandfather’s clinic, flowers filling the streets, and the village woman’s difficult labor — which grounds Quinn’s story in their family roots. Yet, the transition from shadowing in hospitals to pursuing leadership positions in high schools is jarring, and the list of athletic and musical accomplishments reads like a laundry list of accomplishments until Quinn neatly wraps them up as evidence of leadership and teamwork skills. Similarly, the section about tutoring, while intended to demonstrate Quinn’s desire to educate future physicians, lacks the emotional resonance necessary to elevate it from another line lifted from their resume.

This essay opens with abundant imagery — of the grandfather's clinic, flowers filling the streets, and the village woman's difficult labor — which grounds Quinn's story in their family roots.

The strongest point of Quinn’s essay is the focus on their unique arts and humanities background. This equips them with a unique perspective necessary to consider issues in medicine in a new light. Through detailing how history and literature coursework informed their unique research, Quinn sets their application apart from the multitude of STEM-focused narratives. Closing the essay with the desire to help others just as their grandfather had, Quinn ties the narrative back to their personal roots.

-- Accepted To: Edinburgh University UCAT Score: 2810 BMAT Score: 4.6, 4.2, 3.5A

Exposure to the medical career from an early age by my father, who would explain diseases of the human body, sparked my interest for Medicine and drove me to seek out work experience. I witnessed the contrast between use of bone saws and drills to gain access to the brain, with subsequent use of delicate instruments and microscopes in neurosurgery. The surgeon's care to remove the tumour, ensuring minimal damage to surrounding healthy brain and his commitment to achieve the best outcome for the patient was inspiring. The chance to have such a positive impact on a patient has motivated me to seek out a career in Medicine.

Whilst shadowing a surgical team in Texas, carrying out laparoscopic bariatric procedures, I appreciated the surgeon's dedication to continual professional development and research. I was inspired to carry out an Extended Project Qualification on whether bariatric surgery should be funded by the NHS. By researching current literature beyond my school curriculum, I learnt to assess papers for bias and use reliable sources to make a conclusion on a difficult ethical situation. I know that doctors are required to carry out research and make ethical decisions and so, I want to continue developing these skills during my time at medical school.

The chance to have such a positive impact on a patient has motivated me to seek out a career in Medicine.

Attending an Oncology multi-disciplinary team meeting showed me the importance of teamwork in medicine. I saw each team member, with specific areas of expertise, contributing to the discussion and actively listening, and together they formed a holistic plan of action for patients. During my Young Enterprise Award, I facilitated a brainstorm where everyone pitched a product idea. Each member offered a different perspective on the idea and then voted on a product to carry forward in the competition. As a result, we came runners up in the Regional Finals. Furthermore, I started developing my leadership skills, which I improved by doing Duke of Edinburgh Silver and attending a St. John Ambulance Leadership course. In one workshop, similar to the bariatric surgeon I shadowed, I communicated instructions and delegated roles to my team to successfully solve a puzzle. These experiences highlighted the crucial need for teamwork and leadership as a doctor.

Observing a GP, I identified the importance of compassion and empathy. During a consultation with a severely depressed patient, the GP came to the patient's eye level and used a calm, non-judgmental tone of voice, easing her anxieties and allowing her to disclose more information. While volunteering at a care home weekly for two years, I adapted my communication for a resident suffering with dementia who was disconnected from others. I would take her to a quiet environment, speak slowly and in a non-threatening manner, as such, she became talkative, engaged and happier. I recognised that communication and compassion allows doctors to build rapport, gain patients' trust and improve compliance. For two weeks, I shadowed a surgeon performing multiple craniotomies a day. I appreciated the challenges facing doctors including time and stress management needed to deliver high quality care. Organisation, by prioritising patients based on urgency and creating a timetable on the ward round, was key to running the theatre effectively. Similarly, I create to-do-lists and prioritise my academics and extra-curricular activities to maintain a good work-life balance: I am currently preparing for my Grade 8 in Singing, alongside my A-level exams. I also play tennis for the 1st team to relax and enable me to refocus. I wish to continue my hobbies at university, as ways to manage stress.

Through my work experiences and voluntary work, I have gained a realistic understanding of Medicine and its challenges. I have begun to display the necessary skills that I witnessed, such as empathy, leadership and teamwork. The combination of these skills with my fascination for the human body drives me to pursue a place at medical school and a career as a doctor.

This essay traces Alex's personal exploration of medicine through different stages of life, taking a fairly traditional path to the medical school application essay. From witnessing medical procedures to eventually pursuing leadership positions, this tale of personal progress argues that Alex's life has prepared him to become a doctor.

Alex details how experiences conducting research and working with medical teams have confirmed his interest in medicine. Although the breadth of experiences speaks to the applicant’s interest in medicine, the essay verges on being a regurgitation of the Alex's resume, which does not provide the admissions officer with any new insights or information and ultimately takes away from the essay as a whole. As such, the writing’s lack of voice or unique perspective puts the applicant at risk of sounding middle-of-the-road.

From witnessing medical procedures to eventually pursuing leadership positions, this tale of personal progress argues that Alex's life has prepared him to become a doctor.

The essay’s organization, however, is one of its strengths — each paragraph provides an example of personal growth through a new experience in medicine. Further, Alex demonstrates his compassion and diligence through detailed stories, which give a reader a glimpse into his values. Through recognizing important skills necessary to be a doctor, Alex demonstrates that he has the mature perspective necessary to embark upon this journey.

What this essay lacks in a unique voice, it makes up for in professionalism and organization. Alex's earnest desire to attend medical school is what makes this essay shine.

-- Accepted To: University of Toronto MCAT Scores: Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems - 128, Critical Analysis and Reading Skills - 127, Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems - 127, Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior - 130, Total - 512

Moment of brilliance.

Revelation.

These are all words one would use to describe their motivation by a higher calling to achieve something great. Such an experience is often cited as the reason for students to become physicians; I was not one of these students. Instead of waiting for an event like this, I chose to get involved in the activities that I found most invigorating. Slowly but surely, my interests, hobbies, and experiences inspired me to pursue medicine.

As a medical student, one must possess a solid academic foundation to facilitate an understanding of physical health and illness. Since high school, I found science courses the most appealing and tended to devote most of my time to their exploration. I also enjoyed learning about the music, food, literature, and language of other cultures through Latin and French class. I chose the Medical Sciences program because it allowed for flexibility in course selection. I have studied several scientific disciplines in depth like physiology and pathology while taking classes in sociology, psychology, and classical studies. Such a diverse academic portfolio has strengthened my ability to consider multiple viewpoints and attack problems from several angles. I hope to relate to patients from all walks of life as a physician and offer them personalized treatment.

I was motivated to travel as much as possible by learning about other cultures in school. Exposing myself to different environments offered me perspective on universal traits that render us human. I want to pursue medicine because I believe that this principle of commonality relates to medical practice in providing objective and compassionate care for all. Combined with my love for travel, this realization took me to Nepal with Volunteer Abroad (VA) to build a school for a local orphanage (4). The project’s demands required a group of us to work closely as a team to accomplish the task. Rooted in different backgrounds, we often had conflicting perspectives; even a simple task such as bricklaying could stir up an argument because each person had their own approach. However, we discussed why we came to Nepal and reached the conclusion that all we wanted was to build a place of education for the children. Our unifying goal allowed us to reach compromises and truly appreciate the value of teamwork. These skills are vital in a clinical setting, where physicians and other health care professionals need to collaborate as a multidisciplinary team to tackle patients’ physical, emotional, social, and psychological problems.

I hope to relate to patients from all walks of life as a physician and offer them personalized treatment.

The insight I gained from my Nepal excursion encouraged me to undertake and develop the role of VA campus representative (4). Unfortunately, many students are not equipped with the resources to volunteer abroad; I raised awareness about local initiatives so everyone had a chance to do their part. I tried to avoid pushing solely for international volunteerism for this reason and also because it can undermine the work of local skilled workers and foster dependency. Nevertheless, I took on this position with VA because I felt that the potential benefits were more significant than the disadvantages. Likewise, doctors must constantly weigh out the pros and cons of a situation to help a patient make the best choice. I tried to dispel fears of traveling abroad by sharing first-hand experiences so that students could make an informed decision. When people approached me regarding unfamiliar placements, I researched their questions and provided them with both answers and a sense of security. I found great fulfillment in addressing the concerns of individuals, and I believe that similar processes could prove invaluable in the practice of medicine.

As part of the Sickkids Summer Research Program, I began to appreciate the value of experimental investigation and evidence-based medicine (23). Responsible for initiating an infant nutrition study at a downtown clinic, I was required to explain the project’s implications and daily protocol to physicians, nurses and phlebotomists. I took anthropometric measurements and blood pressure of children aged 1-10 and asked parents about their and their child’s diet, television habits, physical exercise regimen, and sunlight exposure. On a few occasions, I analyzed and presented a small set of data to my superiors through oral presentations and written documents.

With continuous medical developments, physicians must participate in lifelong learning. More importantly, they can engage in research to further improve the lives of their patients. I encountered a young mother one day at the clinic struggling to complete the study’s questionnaires. After I asked her some questions, she began to open up to me as her anxiety subsided; she then told me that her child suffered from low iron. By talking with the physician and reading a few articles, I recommended a few supplements and iron-rich foods to help her child. This experience in particular helped me realize that I enjoy clinical research and strive to address the concerns of people with whom I interact.

Research is often impeded by a lack of government and private funding. My clinical placement motivated me to become more adept in budgeting, culminating in my role as founding Co-President of the UWO Commerce Club (ICCC) (9). Together, fellow club executives and I worked diligently to get the club ratified, a process that made me aware of the bureaucratic challenges facing new organizations. Although we had a small budget, we found ways of minimizing expenditure on advertising so that we were able to host more speakers who lectured about entrepreneurship and overcoming challenges. Considering the limited space available in hospitals and the rising cost of health care, physicians, too, are often forced to prioritize and manage the needs of their patients.

No one needs a grand revelation to pursue medicine. Although passion is vital, it is irrelevant whether this comes suddenly from a life-altering event or builds up progressively through experience. I enjoyed working in Nepal, managing resources, and being a part of clinical and research teams; medicine will allow me to combine all of these aspects into one wholesome career.

I know with certainty that this is the profession for me.

Jimmy opens this essay hinting that his essay will follow a well-worn path, describing the “big moment” that made him realize why he needed to become a physician. But Jimmy quickly turns the reader’s expectation on its head by stating that he did not have one of those moments. By doing this, Jimmy commands attention and has the reader waiting for an explanation. He soon provides the explanation that doubles as the “thesis” of his essay: Jimmy thinks passion can be built progressively, and Jimmy’s life progression has led him to the medical field.

Jimmy did not make the decision to pursue a career in medicine lightly. Instead he displays through anecdotes that his separate passions — helping others, exploring different walks of life, personal responsibility, and learning constantly, among others — helped Jimmy realize that being a physician was the career for him. By talking readers through his thought process, it is made clear that Jimmy is a critical thinker who can balance multiple different perspectives simultaneously. The ability to evaluate multiple options and make an informed, well-reasoned decision is one that bodes well for Jimmy’s medical career.

While in some cases this essay does a lot of “telling,” the comprehensive and decisive walkthrough indicates what Jimmy’s idea of a doctor is. To him, a doctor is someone who is genuinely interested in his work, someone who can empathize and related to his patients, someone who can make important decisions with a clear head, and someone who is always trying to learn more. Just like his decision to work at the VA, Jimmy has broken down the “problem” (what his career should be) and reached a sound conclusion.

By talking readers through his thought process, it is made clear that Jimmy is a critical thinker who can balance multiple different perspectives simultaneously.

Additionally, this essay communicates Jimmy’s care for others. While it is not always advisable to list one’s volunteer efforts, each activity Jimmy lists has a direct application to his essay. Further, the sheer amount of philanthropic work that Jimmy does speaks for itself: Jimmy would not have worked at VA, spent a summer with Sickkids, or founded the UWO finance club if he were not passionate about helping others through medicine. Like the VA story, the details of Jimmy’s participation in Sickkids and the UWO continue to show how he has thought about and embodied the principles that a physician needs to be successful.

Jimmy’s essay both breaks common tropes and lives up to them. By framing his “list” of activities with his passion-happens-slowly mindset, Jimmy injects purpose and interest into what could have been a boring and braggadocious essay if it were written differently. Overall, this essay lets the reader know that Jimmy is seriously dedicated to becoming a physician, and both his thoughts and his actions inspire confidence that he will give medical school his all.

The Crimson's news and opinion teams—including writers, editors, photographers, and designers—were not involved in the production of this content.

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Healthcare is a diverse and complex field that encompasses a wide range of topics, issues, and challenges. Whether you are studying healthcare as a student, working in the healthcare industry, or simply interested in learning more about this important area, there are countless essay topics that you can explore. To help you get started, here are 124 healthcare essay topic ideas and examples that you can use for inspiration:

• The impact of healthcare disparities on patient outcomes
• Strategies for improving access to healthcare in underserved communities
• The role of technology in transforming healthcare delivery
• The ethics of healthcare rationing
• The importance of diversity and inclusion in healthcare organizations
• The rise of telemedicine and its implications for patient care
• The impact of the opioid epidemic on healthcare systems
• The role of nurses in promoting patient safety
• The challenges of providing mental health care in a primary care setting
• The future of healthcare: personalized medicine and precision healthcare
• The role of healthcare providers in addressing social determinants of health
• The impact of climate change on public health
• The role of public health campaigns in promoting healthy behaviors
• The challenges of healthcare delivery in rural areas
• The impact of healthcare reform on the uninsured population
• The role of healthcare informatics in improving patient outcomes
• The importance of cultural competency in healthcare delivery
• The ethical implications of genetic testing and personalized medicine
• The impact of healthcare costs on patient access to care
• The role of healthcare administrators in shaping the future of healthcare delivery
• The challenges of implementing electronic health records in healthcare settings
• The impact of healthcare privatization on patient care
• The role of healthcare providers in promoting patient autonomy
• The challenges of providing end-of-life care in a healthcare setting
• The impact of healthcare disparities on maternal and child health outcomes
• The role of healthcare providers in addressing the opioid crisis
• The challenges of providing healthcare to undocumented immigrants
• The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare systems
• The role of healthcare providers in promoting vaccination uptake
• The challenges of healthcare delivery in conflict zones
• The impact of healthcare disparities on LGBTQ+ populations
• The role of healthcare providers in promoting healthy aging
• The challenges of providing healthcare to homeless populations
• The impact of healthcare disparities on rural communities
• The role of healthcare providers in addressing food insecurity
• The challenges of providing healthcare to refugees and asylum seekers
• The impact of healthcare disparities on people with disabilities
• The role of healthcare providers in promoting mental health awareness
• The challenges of providing healthcare to incarcerated populations
• The impact of healthcare disparities on immigrant populations
• The role of healthcare providers in promoting sexual health education
• The challenges of providing healthcare to indigenous populations
• The impact of healthcare disparities on veterans' health outcomes
• The role of healthcare providers in promoting healthy lifestyles
• The challenges of providing healthcare to low-income populations
• The impact of healthcare disparities on minority populations
• The role of healthcare providers in promoting preventive care
• The challenges of providing healthcare to elderly populations
• The impact of healthcare disparities on women's health outcomes
• The role of healthcare providers in promoting maternal health
• The challenges of providing healthcare to children and adolescents
• The impact of healthcare disparities on mental health outcomes
• The role of healthcare providers in promoting substance abuse treatment
• The challenges of providing healthcare to homeless youth
• The impact of healthcare disparities on LGBTQ+ youth
• The role of healthcare providers in promoting healthy relationships
• The challenges of providing healthcare to LGBTQ+ youth
• The impact of healthcare disparities on transgender populations
• The role of healthcare providers in promoting gender-affirming care
• The challenges of providing healthcare to LGBTQ+ elders
• The impact of healthcare disparities on people of color
• The role of healthcare providers in promoting racial equity
• The challenges of providing healthcare to immigrant populations
• The impact of healthcare disparities on refugee populations
• The role of healthcare providers in promoting cultural competency
• The challenges of providing healthcare to non-English speaking populations
• The role of healthcare providers in promoting disability rights
• The challenges of providing healthcare to people with mental illnesses
• The impact of healthcare disparities on people experiencing homelessness
• The role of healthcare providers in promoting housing stability
• The challenges of providing healthcare to people living in poverty
• The impact of healthcare disparities on incarcerated populations
• The role of healthcare providers in promoting criminal justice reform
• The challenges of providing healthcare to veterans
• The impact of healthcare

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Introduction to Medical Technology

Introduction WHAT IS A MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY? Have you ever been to a play? When the audience comes to see the show, they see the actors and actresses perform. What they don't see are the many crew members who work backstage on lighting and sound and sets. These people don't get to take a bow at the end of the show, but they are very important to the success of the play. In the hospital, the medical technologists are like crew members in a play. Patients don't often see them, but they are vital members of the healthcare team.

Medical technologists (also known as clinical laboratory scientists) are professionals who work in the hospital laboratory, performing a wide range of tests. Doctors make many of their decisions about diagnosis and treatment of disease based on laboratory test results. It is the responsibility of the medical technologist to provide accurate and precise data. Because they may hold life and death in their hands, the medical technologist must know when results are incorrect and need to be rechecked.

Medical technologists do everything from simple pregnancy tests, to monitoring antibiotic drug therapy, to complex testing that uncovers disease like diabetes, AIDS, and cancer. They do all this testing by operating microscopes, complex electronic equipment, computers, and precision instruments costing millions of dollars. Medical technology has embedded itself in our culture and has been a positive and powerful force in the improvement of life for millions of people.

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However, for every yin there is a yang, and with all things that are positive, there is also a negative component that must not be ignored. Most Americans are familiar with the benefits of technology, specifically medical technologies; the media reports on these benefits every day. However, it is not often that physicians have the opportunity to discuss what has been given up or lost as a result of using these same technologies. This commentary is about those unintended consequences resulting from our use of technology, in particular, physicians' use of medical technologies.

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• Published: 16 August 2024

Innovation and challenges of artificial intelligence technology in personalized healthcare

• Yu-Hao Li 2 ,
• Yu-Lin Li 1 ,
• Mu-Yang Wei 1 &
• Guang-Yu Li 1  

Scientific Reports volume  14 , Article number:  18994 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

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As the burgeoning field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to permeate the fabric of healthcare, particularly in the realms of patient surveillance and telemedicine, a transformative era beckons. This manuscript endeavors to unravel the intricacies of recent AI advancements and their profound implications for reconceptualizing the delivery of medical care. Through the introduction of innovative instruments such as virtual assistant chatbots, wearable monitoring devices, predictive analytic models, personalized treatment regimens, and automated appointment systems, AI is not only amplifying the quality of care but also empowering patients and fostering a more interactive dynamic between the patient and the healthcare provider. Yet, this progressive infiltration of AI into the healthcare sphere grapples with a plethora of challenges hitherto unseen. The exigent issues of data security and privacy, the specter of algorithmic bias, the requisite adaptability of regulatory frameworks, and the matter of patient acceptance and trust in AI solutions demand immediate and thoughtful resolution .The importance of establishing stringent and far-reaching policies, ensuring technological impartiality, and cultivating patient confidence is paramount to ensure that AI-driven enhancements in healthcare service provision remain both ethically sound and efficient. In conclusion, we advocate for an expansion of research efforts aimed at navigating the ethical complexities inherent to a technology-evolving landscape, catalyzing policy innovation, and devising AI applications that are not only clinically effective but also earn the trust of the patient populace. By melding expertise across disciplines, we stand at the threshold of an era wherein AI's role in healthcare is both ethically unimpeachable and conducive to elevating the global health quotient.

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Artificial Intelligence (AI), a burgeoning domain within computer science, is increasingly being harnessed to execute tasks that demand human-like intelligence, such as solving complex problems, logical reasoning, and conducting learning analysis based on voluminous data sets. In the realm of healthcare, AI's significance cannot be overstated, particularly in areas like patient monitoring and telemedicine where it is driving transformative breakthroughs 1 . One of the most dynamic frontiers within AI in healthcare is the swift evolution of Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithms. These sophisticated tools are capable of deciphering and comprehending human language, a skill that has profound implications for patient care. When applied to analyze symptoms narrated by patients, NLP can facilitate more natural and effective communication, thereby enhancing patient engagement and elevating the overall telemedicine experience 2 . Another significant milestone is the application of computer vision algorithms for interpreting medical imaging, such as CT scans and MRIs. By leveraging AI to diagnose and categorize diseases from these images, healthcare providers can make more precise and expedited diagnoses 3 . The strides made in machine learning are also noteworthy, with AI algorithms being trained on vast repositories of data to identify patterns and make predictions. This capability can be harnessed to analyze a wealth of patient data, including vital signs and test results, to anticipate health complications and tailor personalized care plans 4 . Furthermore, the rise of AI-driven virtual assistants in telemedicine is redefining patient-provider interactions, offering patients convenient access to healthcare information and resources, along with the ability to communicate with healthcare professionals in a manner that is both efficient and personalized.

As AI revolutionizes healthcare interactions, ushering in an era of more individualized, streamlined, and accessible care, it becomes imperative to ensure that the development and deployment of AI systems prioritize patient safety and privacy. This review article endeavors to present a comprehensive overview of the current state of AI technology within patient monitoring and telemedicine sectors, scrutinizing the potential benefits as well as the challenges these innovations face. Additionally, we aim to proffer guidance for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to foster the judicious and effective use of AI technology in healthcare.

Applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare

Virtual assistant chatbots for patient support and education.

Virtual assistant chatbots can provide personalized medical support and education to patients based on their individual needs and preferences. By utilizing Natural Language Processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms, chatbots can learn from patient interactions and adjust their responses to match the patient's language and style, making the user experience more natural and engaging 5 , 6 . Moreover, virtual assistant chatbots can offer round-the-clock service, which is particularly valuable for patients who are unable to access healthcare providers during regular working hours. With 24/7 availability, chatbots can help patients obtain the information and support they need when they need it. Additionally, virtual assistant chatbots can provide personalized health information and advice based on a patient's personal medical history and risk factors 7 . They can analyze a patient's medical records and generate tailored prevention and treatment recommendations, ensuring that patients receive the most appropriate care. Virtual assistant chatbots can provide personalized reminders and medical education, helping patients understand and comply with treatment plans. However, further research is needed to evaluate its effectiveness in improving patient compliance and motivation. For instance, a chatbot might recommend healthy meal plans or exercise routines to diabetic patients based on their dietary preferences and physical activity habits. There are already several online chatbots, such as Your.MD, Your Symptoms, Babylon Health, AI Health, Iodine, Molly , and others, that use artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide personalized health information and support for minor illnesses, chronic diseases, and mental health issues.

However, the application of virtual assistant chatbots still faces certain limitations. In the United States, patients' medical histories are often scattered across different systems, making it very complex to access and integrate these records 8 . Currently, AI faces major challenges in handling these tasks, including issues with data interoperability, standardization, and integration. Firstly, data interoperability is a major issue. Patients' medical records may be stored in different electronic health record (EHR) systems, which lack unified standards and protocols, making it difficult to share and integrate data 9 . To address this problem, health information exchanges (HIEs) and data standardization protocols (such as HL7 FHIR) are continuously evolving, aiming to improve the seamless exchange of medical information between different systems 10 . Secondly, data standardization is also a challenge. Different healthcare institutions and EHR systems may use different data formats and coding systems, making data integration more complex. For example, the same medical condition might be described using different terms and codes in different systems, posing difficulties for AI in processing and analyzing this data. Overcoming these obstacles requires the promotion of unified data standards and coding systems across the industry 11 . Additionally, data integration itself faces technical and policy barriers. Many healthcare institutions lack sufficient technical support for data management and sharing, or they may be unwilling to share patient data due to privacy and security concerns. These factors further limit the application of AI technology in integrating and analyzing dispersed patient data 12 .

Despite these challenges, virtual assistant chatbots hold great potential in personalized healthcare. By continuously improving data interoperability, standardization, and integration technologies, and addressing policy and technical barriers, AI tools can better serve patients, providing more accurate and personalized health recommendations.

Real-time patient monitoring and telepatient monitoring using wearable devices and sensors

Real-time patient monitoring and remote patient care can be achieved through the use of wearable devices and sensors, which enable healthcare providers to continuously track vital signs and other biometric data 13 . For instance, smartwatches can monitor a patient's heart rate and blood pressure, wirelessly transmitting this data to a central monitoring station for analysis and interpretation by healthcare professionals. Wearable sensors, another compact and portable option, can be worn on the body or integrated into clothing, jewelry, or other accessories to monitor vital signs and health metrics such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, blood oxygen saturation, body temperature, and physical activity, transmitting the data wirelessly to a central monitoring station for in-depth analysis. Moreover, smartphone applications can utilize built-in sensors and wearable devices to monitor patients' health in real-time, tracking information such as physical activity, sleep patterns, and dietary habits, while providing feedback and suggestions to help manage their health. Additionally, smart home devices like smart speakers and thermostats can also be used to monitor patients' health status in real-time. The use of wearable devices and sensors for real-time patient monitoring offers many potential benefits for both patients and healthcare providers. Patients may experience increased security and peace of mind, knowing that their health status is being monitored and that any changes in their condition can be quickly detected. For healthcare providers, it can help better understand patients' health needs and monitor the progression of their conditions, leading to more personalized and targeted care 14 . Furthermore, real-time patient monitoring with wearable devices and sensors can automate some monitoring tasks, thereby reducing the burden on healthcare providers and decreasing the risk of human error.

However, there are also potential challenges associated with using wearable devices and sensors for real-time patient monitoring. Firstly, the process of real-time monitoring can generate a vast amount of data, some of which may be difficult to analyze and interpret, especially when dealing with data from multiple sources in different formats. Moreover, these wearable devices have made significant advancements in data collection and self-monitoring, but their accuracy still has limitations. In particular, wrist-worn devices can be affected by wrist position and user activity when measuring blood pressure, leading to inaccurate data 15 . In contrast, upper-arm cuffs are generally considered more reliable for blood pressure measurement. Therefore, when using AI tools that rely on such data, it is crucial to fully understand the limitations of these devices and take necessary precautions in practical applications to ensure the effectiveness and reliability of AI tools, avoiding potential risks caused by inaccurate data.

Some data may even be unreliable or inaccurate, posing a risk of misjudgment. In healthcare, unreliable or inaccurate data can have a significant impact on diagnostic and treatment decisions. For example, research has shown that the accuracy of wearable devices in measuring physiological parameters such as heart rate and blood pressure may be affected by the wearing method, user activity, and technical limitations of the device itself 16 , 17 . In addition, integration issues between different data sources may also lead to inconsistent or incomplete data, thereby affecting the performance and reliability of AI models. To address these issues, strict data validation and quality control measures must be implemented to ensure that the data used for AI model training and application has high quality and reliability 18 . Therefore, healthcare providers and policy makers must consider the limitations of these devices, take necessary preventive measures in clinical applications, avoid potential risks caused by inaccurate data, help researchers, clinicians, and policy makers better understand and apply AI technology, and ensure that patients can benefit from it.

Additionally, there are potential risks to patient privacy and data security. Sensitive information about patients' health and well-being could be misused by unauthorized third parties if not adequately protected. To address these challenges, researchers are developing AI-driven systems to analyze large amounts of data from various sources, providing actionable insights for clinicians. Moreover, anonymization and encryption technologies are being employed to further protect patient privacy and data security.

Predictive models for disease progression and patient risk stratification

Predictive models for disease progression and patient risk stratification utilize machine learning algorithms to analyze patients' medical history, genetic information, and other data to predict their risk of developing certain diseases or the progression of existing conditions. These models can also identify patients at risk of developing certain diseases, enabling healthcare providers to implement preventative measures to reduce risk 19 . They are also used to forecast the progression of patients' current diseases, allowing healthcare providers to adjust treatment plans accordingly. Predictive models are trained on large patient datasets using machine learning algorithms, including information about medical history, genetic data, and other relevant information, analyzing the data to identify patterns and relationships that can be used to predict the risk of patients developing certain diseases 20 . Predictive models for disease progression and patient risk stratification have the capability to identify patients at risk of developing certain diseases and to predict the progression of current diseases, which allows healthcare providers to take preventative actions to reduce the risk of certain diseases and to adjust their treatment plans to better manage patients' current conditions 21 . Numerous models have been applied to the prediction and risk assessment of various diseases. For example, researchers have developed deep learning models that can predict the progression of Alzheimer's disease based on brain MRI scans and other patient information, helping doctors to better understand the progression of the disease and adjust treatment plans accordingly. Cardiovascular disease risk prediction models can use patient data such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and genetic information to forecast the risk of heart disease, aiding doctors in identifying high-risk patients and providing early intervention measures 22 . Cancer risk prediction models can predict cancer risk based on patient data (such as family history, lifestyle factors, and genetic information), helping doctors identify high-risk patients and offer early interventions to reduce their cancer risk 23 . Risk prediction models for surgical complications can predict the risk of postoperative complications based on patient data (such as age, medical history, and type of surgery), helping doctors identify high-risk patients and provide additional monitoring or interventions to reduce the risk of complications 24 . Readmission risk prediction models can forecast the risk of readmission based on patient data (such as age, medical history, and severity of illness), helping doctors identify high-risk patients and provide additional monitoring or interventions to reduce their risk of readmission. These are just a few examples of how deep learning is used to predict disease progression and patient risk stratification 25 . As deep learning models become increasingly widespread in healthcare, we can expect to see more such predictive models used to improve patient care and outcomes.

Predictive models for disease progression and patient risk stratification serve as indispensable tools within the medical domain, affording healthcare practitioners the capability to proactively identify individuals at elevated risk of specific pathologies and implement preemptive interventions 26 . Despite their utility, the deployment of such models is fraught with challenges pertaining to the veracity and integrity of the data underpinning model training, as well as potential systemic biases or inaccuracies inherent to the predictive analytics. To uphold the precision and fidelity of these models, it is imperative to meticulously curate high-caliber, pristine datasets for model training purposes and to persistently appraise model efficacy to discern any latent errors or biases that could compromise predictive outcomes. Additionally, the conscientious application of these models is paramount, ensuring that patients are not subjected to inequitable treatment predicated on model-derived predictions. As the adoption of these models expands within clinical practice, ongoing scrutiny of their performance metrics and a rigorous evaluation of their therapeutic impact become vital components to guarantee their judicious and efficacious deployment. Moreover, the datasets harnessed for model training must be faithfully representative of the demographic being studied, encompassing an array of pertinent patient information—demography, genetic lineage, and environmental exposures included—to foster the development of models that accurately forecast disease progression and risk stratification across the entire patient spectrum, irrespective of individual backgrounds or characteristics 27 . It is equally expedient to ensure that the utilization of such models adheres to the highest ethical standards, secured through informed patient consent, and buttressed by stringent oversight and regulatory frameworks designed to forestall any potential misapplication or discriminatory practices against targeted patient populations 28 .

Personalized treatment recommendations based on patient data

Personalized treatment recommendations based on patient data represent a highly meaningful domain within healthcare, as they can improve patient outcomes and reduce medical costs. Deep learning models are capable of analyzing vast amounts of patient data, including genomic, genetic, demographic, and lifestyle factors, to determine how patients respond to different treatments. Genomic data, such as whole-genome sequencing, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and gene expression profiles, provide critical insights into the molecular underpinnings of diseases and individual responses to therapies 29 . Subsequently, this information can be used to develop personalized treatment recommendations tailored to the unique characteristics and medical history of an individual patient 30 . For instance, researchers have developed deep learning models capable of analyzing the genomic and genetic features of a patient's tumor and predicting their response to various chemotherapy drugs 31 . By incorporating data on gene mutations, copy number variations, and epigenetic modifications, these models can identify specific biomarkers that correlate with treatment efficacy. This information can then be used to recommend the most effective treatment approach for that patient, thereby increasing their chances of a successful outcome 32 . Similarly, deep learning models can analyze patient data such as age, medical history, and type of surgery, alongside genomic data, to predict the risk of complications like infections or bleeding. This allows for the recommendation of additional monitoring or preventative measures for high-risk patients, reducing their risk of complications and improving their overall outcomes. Moreover, pharmacogenomic data can be utilized to predict adverse drug reactions and optimize drug dosing, further personalizing patient care 33 .

Pharmacogenomics is a rapidly evolving field that integrates genetic information to optimize drug therapy, analyzing how genetic variations affect drug efficacy and potential side effects, significantly enhancing the precision of personalized medicine 34 . Deep learning models can utilize pharmacogenomic data to predict a patient's metabolism and response to specific drugs. For instance, genetic variations in genes encoding drug-metabolizing enzymes, transport proteins, and drug targets influence drug concentration in the body and subsequent therapeutic outcomes 35 . By integrating pharmacogenomic data, AI models can recommend the most suitable drugs and dosages for each patient, minimizing side effects and maximizing therapeutic benefits.

Additionally, pharmacogenomic data can help identify patients who might experience adverse drug reactions, allowing for preventive measures or alternative treatment strategies. This data-driven approach ensures that patients receive safe and effective treatments based on their unique genetic makeup. For example, in oncology, pharmacogenomic profiling can guide the selection of targeted therapies that are more effective for patients with specific genetic mutations 36 . By incorporating pharmacogenomic data into personalized treatment plans, healthcare providers can achieve better clinical outcomes and improve overall patient care.

Automatic appointment scheduling and reminders

Automatic appointment scheduling and reminders are invaluable tools in the healthcare sector, capable of improving patient compliance and lessening the workload of healthcare providers 37 . As the capability of deep learning models to analyze vast amounts of patient data continues to advance, we can look forward to an increasing number of examples where automatic appointment scheduling and reminders are employed in healthcare.

Automated appointment scheduling and reminders are crucial tools in healthcare as they can enhance patient adherence to treatment plans and reduce the burden on healthcare providers. Artificial intelligence (AI), especially deep learning models, can significantly improve these processes by analyzing large amounts of patient data to make more accurate and personalized recommendations. Deep learning models can analyze patient data, including their medical history, previous appointment schedules, and preferences, to recommend the best appointment times for individual patients. This advanced analysis reduces the likelihood of missed appointments or the need for rescheduling, leading to better outcomes and increased efficiency in the healthcare system. For example, AI can identify patterns in patient behavior and appointment history that may not be evident in traditional scheduling systems, optimizing the scheduling process to better meet patient needs and provider availability.

Additionally, automated appointment reminders are a key aspect of AI-enhanced scheduling. By analyzing patient data such as demographics, medical history, and past responses to appointment reminders, deep learning models can determine the most effective reminder strategy for each patient 38 . This personalized approach reduces the number of missed appointments and ensures patients receive the care they need when they need it. AI can also adjust reminder strategies in real-time based on patient responses, further enhancing the effectiveness of these reminders.

Real-world examples of AI-enhanced automated appointment scheduling and reminders include platforms like PatientPop, Zocdoc, and Vyasa. These platforms utilize AI to analyze patient data and recommend the best appointment times based on patient history and previous appointment schedules. They also send automated, personalized appointment reminders to patients, increasing the likelihood of appointments and necessary care. These AI-driven platforms provide seamless automated scheduling, allowing patients to easily book online and receive reminders via text or email, thereby improving overall patient compliance and reducing the workload on healthcare providers.

Research has shown that automated appointment scheduling and reminder systems can indeed improve patient compliance in certain situations. For example, research has found that using text message reminders can significantly reduce the occurrence of delayed medical visits, thereby improving patient compliance 39 . Another study suggests that email reminders have also played a positive role in increasing vaccination rates and follow-up appointments 40 .

However, relying solely on reminder systems cannot fully address compliance and motivation issues. The compliance of patients with treatment plans is also influenced by various factors, including trust in doctors, relationship with the medical system, and the effectiveness of treatment models.

As AI and deep learning models continue to advance, we can expect to see more examples of AI-driven automated scheduling and reminders being used in healthcare, leading to improved patient outcomes and increased efficiency in healthcare delivery.

The transformative impact of AI on healthcare

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing various aspects of healthcare, with several key areas being the focus of current research and development. In medical imaging and diagnosis, deep learning models are currently used to assist in the detection and diagnosis of diseases in medical images such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans. For example, AI systems are employed to identify early signs of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders with remarkable accuracy and speed. In personalized medicine, AI aids in analyzing genetic, demographic, and lifestyle data to provide personalized treatment recommendations. This approach is particularly beneficial in oncology, where AI can predict a patient's response to different chemotherapy drugs, thus formulating more effective and individualized treatment plans. Predictive analytics and risk assessment is another crucial area of AI research, where AI models are used to predict patient outcomes, such as the likelihood of disease progression, readmission rates, and potential risks of surgical complications. These predictions enable healthcare providers to take preventive measures, enhance the quality of patient care, and reduce healthcare costs. Natural language processing (NLP) technology is used to extract meaningful information from unstructured medical data, such as clinical records and research articles. This technology helps improve electronic health record (EHR) systems, streamline administrative tasks, and enhance patient care through better data utilization.

Challenges and concerns

Data security and privacy issues.

The application of artificial intelligence in healthcare generates and stores vast amounts of sensitive personal and medical information, making data security and privacy a paramount concern 41 . Various data security risks exist, such as data breaches where hackers or malicious actors gain unauthorized access to patient data (like medical records or insurance information), potentially causing significant financial and reputational damage to healthcare providers. Inadequate data encryption, whether at rest or in transit, can leave patient data vulnerable to unauthorized access or misuse. Lack of access control, failing to manage user access to patient data properly, can also lead to unauthorized access or misuse. Without proper data retention strategies, the storage period of patient data may extend beyond what is necessary, increasing the risk of unauthorized access or misuse. Furthermore, the absence of data breach prevention and response plans can leave healthcare providers unprepared in the event of a data breach.

Thus, it is essential for healthcare providers to ensure their systems and processes are secure and that patient data is protected from unauthorized access or misuse. A combination of technical and organizational measures can be employed to tackle these issues, including data encryption, access control, and data breach prevention and response planning 42 . Beyond technical measures, healthcare providers must comply with legal requirements such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, which regulates the use and disclosure of patient data. Adherence to such regulations is crucial for ensuring the protection of patient data. Data security and privacy concerns are a critical issue within the healthcare sector, and healthcare providers must take steps to ensure that data used for training and deploying deep learning models is secure and patient privacy is safeguarded 43 .

Bias and discrimination in AI algorithms

The potential for bias and discrimination arises in artificial intelligence algorithms when the data used to train them reflects the biases of the data collectors or inherent biases within the data itself. This can lead to decisions made by the algorithms that result in unfair outcomes for certain individuals or groups 44 . When the proportion of a certain class of patient data is low in the training dataset, AI algorithms may exhibit lower accuracy in diagnosing and treating these patient groups. A study found that a skin cancer diagnostic algorithm performed excellently on patients with light skin but showed significantly lower accuracy for those with dark skin 45 . Additionally, research has shown that gender balance in medical imaging datasets is crucial for training AI systems for computer-aided diagnosis. Failing to achieve this balance leads to a persistent decline in diagnostic performance for underrepresented genders 46 . Therefore, when developing and deploying AI algorithms, it is essential to identify and mitigate these biases. This can be achieved by using diverse and representative datasets for training, regularly monitoring algorithm performance across different groups, and employing fairness correction techniques to adjust the algorithms and reduce biases.

To address issues of bias and discrimination in AI algorithms, healthcare providers must be aware of potential sources of bias in the data they collect and the algorithms they use. This may involve analyzing potential biases within the data, using diverse datasets for algorithm training, and implementing measures to monitor and address any biases or discrimination that may occur within the algorithms. It is equally important to recognize that biases and discrimination in AI algorithms can have serious consequences, as they can lead to unfair outcomes for patients and potentially erode trust in the healthcare system.

The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the healthcare sector faces significant obstacles due to the conservatism of existing medical systems. Resistance to change is a major issue, as healthcare systems tend to favor established practices over new technologies. This resistance can slow down the adoption of AI, with physicians and administrators potentially skeptical of its benefits and concerned about disrupting current workflows. Integration with existing systems is another challenge; AI solutions must be compatible with current health information systems (HIS) and electronic health records (EHR). Technical incompatibilities and the need for substantial infrastructure changes can be major barriers to seamless integration.

Training and expertise are also critical factors. The successful implementation of AI in healthcare requires that medical professionals receive adequate training and have a thorough understanding of these technologies. A lack of sufficient education and expertise can hinder the effective adoption and use of AI tools. By clearly understanding these systemic barriers, we can develop targeted strategies to address these issues and promote the successful integration of AI into medical practice.

Regulatory frameworks and approval processes

Regulatory frameworks and approval processes ensure that new technologies are reviewed and approved by regulatory agencies before being used in patient care, helping to protect patient safety and promote the use of effective technologies in the healthcare industry 47 . The reliability and effectiveness of wearable devices, in particular, need special attention, as the data from these devices directly impact the decision-making quality of AI tools. For example, wrist-worn devices may significantly differ from traditional upper-arm cuff devices in measuring blood pressure 48 , potentially leading AI tools to make incorrect judgments based on inaccurate data, affecting patient health management. Therefore, evaluating and validating the reliability and effectiveness of wearable devices is crucial. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates medical devices, including AI-driven medical applications and wearable devices, requiring all medical devices to undergo a rigorous approval process before being marketed to ensure their safety and effectiveness 49 .

In other countries, such as the United Kingdom, the regulatory frameworks and approval procedures for medical devices may differ, with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) responsible for regulating medical devices in the UK, having its own requirements and approval procedures 50 . The regulatory framework for AI-based diagnostic and decision support tools is rapidly evolving, as these technologies become increasingly integral to healthcare. The FDA, for instance, has developed a regulatory approach specifically tailored to Software as a Medical Device (SaMD), which includes AI-based tools 51 . The FDA's Digital Health Innovation Action Plan and the proposed regulatory framework for modifications to AI/ML-based SaMD are key initiatives aimed at ensuring the safety and effectiveness of AI tools. These frameworks outline premarket review pathways, postmarket surveillance, and the importance of transparency in AI algorithm modifications.Similarly, international bodies such as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) have established guidelines for the evaluation and approval of AI-based medical technologies 52 , 53 . The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) also plays a significant role in governing the use of AI in healthcare by setting stringent requirements for data protection and privacy 54 .

In addition to regulatory bodies, organizations like the International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF) have provided global harmonization efforts through documents such as the "Software as a Medical Device (SaMD): Key Definitions" and "SaMD: Clinical Evaluation" guidelines. These initiatives help create a consistent framework for the development, evaluation, and regulation of AI-based medical devices globally 55 .

By incorporating these regulatory frameworks and guidelines into the development and deployment of AI-based diagnostic and decision support tools, developers and healthcare providers can ensure compliance with safety and efficacy standards, ultimately enhancing patient care and trust in AI technologies.

Patient acceptance and adoption of AI-driven technologies

Patient acceptance and willingness to adopt AI technologies are crucial factors for the success and sustainability of these technologies in healthcare. Patients may have varying attitudes towards AI technologies in healthcare. For instance, some patients might be satisfied with AI-driven technologies, while others may have concerns about their accuracy and reliability. Patients' understanding of the technology, trust in it, and their perceptions of the risks and benefits associated with the technology can influence their attitudes towards accepting AI.

Here are some real-world examples where patients have accepted and adopted AI technologies in healthcare: The Mayo Clinic is utilizing an AI chatbot named Mayo Clinic AI to provide patients with personalized information about their health conditions and answer questions related to their health. The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK is using Florence, an AI virtual nursing assistant, to support patients with chronic health conditions. AI-driven robotic surgery is another example of patient acceptance and adoption of AI technology in healthcare. Robotic surgery involves the use of surgical robots to assist surgeons during operations, with some robots using AI to increase precision and accuracy in the surgical process 56 .

Patients' acceptance of AI technology significantly impacts the success and sustainability of these innovations. For those reluctant to adopt AI, several strategies can help increase their acceptance. Educating and training patients about AI technology, including its functions, benefits, and potential risks, can help them understand how these technologies can improve their health management. Maintaining transparency and communication is crucial; explaining how AI technology uses their data and what measures are taken to protect their privacy and data security can alleviate concerns. Offering personalized experiences tailored to patients' specific needs and preferences can make them feel that these technologies are customized for them. Building trust is essential, and this can be achieved by showcasing successful case studies and validation data of AI technologies in clinical applications. Additionally, involving patients in the decision-making process helps them feel a sense of agency and control in their healthcare journey 57 . Lastly, respecting the choices of patients who are unwilling to adopt AI technology is important, and providing alternative options ensures they continue to receive high-quality medical services.

To improve patient acceptance and adoption rates of AI technologies in healthcare, it is essential to provide clear and transparent information to patients about the technology and its uses, as well as to address any concerns or questions they may have about the technology. Patient willingness to accept and adopt AI technologies is a significant factor affecting the technology's success and sustainability, so patient attitudes, understanding, and trust in the technology should be specially considered when implementing AI technologies in healthcare.

Recommendations for future research

The advent of artificial intelligence in the realm of healthcare portends a transformative era, with the potential to radically enhance patient care and optimize therapeutic outcomes. Nevertheless, the integration of AI into clinical practice necessitates a scrupulous examination of its ethical, legal, and societal ramifications 58 . As such, a seminal direction for subsequent research initiatives is to cultivate robust collaborative frameworks between investigative researchers and clinical practitioners. It is essential that the research fraternity engages in synergistic partnerships with frontline clinicians to ensure that the AI technologies they conceive and develop are not only innovative but also directly applicable and relevant to the exigencies of clinical practice. Furthermore, policymakers must be at the vanguard of establishing comprehensive policies and regulatory scaffolding to oversee the responsible and ethical deployment of AI technologies within the healthcare sector. The formulation of stringent policies is critical to harnessing AI technologies in a manner that engenders transparency, accountability, and, above all, prioritizes the sanctity and protection of patients' data privacy and security 59 . Only through meticulous governance can we ensure that the benefits of artificial intelligence in healthcare are realized without compromising the trust and well-being of those who seek our care.

Data availability

Data generated during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 82171053, 81570864)

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• Technology Essay

Essay on Technology

The word "technology" and its uses have immensely changed since the 20th century, and with time, it has continued to evolve ever since. We are living in a world driven by technology. The advancement of technology has played an important role in the development of human civilization, along with cultural changes. Technology provides innovative ways of doing work through various smart and innovative means. 

Electronic appliances, gadgets, faster modes of communication, and transport have added to the comfort factor in our lives. It has helped in improving the productivity of individuals and different business enterprises. Technology has brought a revolution in many operational fields. It has undoubtedly made a very important contribution to the progress that mankind has made over the years.

The Advancement of Technology:

Technology has reduced the effort and time and increased the efficiency of the production requirements in every field. It has made our lives easy, comfortable, healthy, and enjoyable. It has brought a revolution in transport and communication. The advancement of technology, along with science, has helped us to become self-reliant in all spheres of life. With the innovation of a particular technology, it becomes part of society and integral to human lives after a point in time.

Technology is Our Part of Life:

Technology has changed our day-to-day lives. Technology has brought the world closer and better connected. Those days have passed when only the rich could afford such luxuries. Because of the rise of globalisation and liberalisation, all luxuries are now within the reach of the average person. Today, an average middle-class family can afford a mobile phone, a television, a washing machine, a refrigerator, a computer, the Internet, etc. At the touch of a switch, a man can witness any event that is happening in far-off places.  

Benefits of Technology in All Fields: 

We cannot escape technology; it has improved the quality of life and brought about revolutions in various fields of modern-day society, be it communication, transportation, education, healthcare, and many more. Let us learn about it.

Technology in Communication:

With the advent of technology in communication, which includes telephones, fax machines, cellular phones, the Internet, multimedia, and email, communication has become much faster and easier. It has transformed and influenced relationships in many ways. We no longer need to rely on sending physical letters and waiting for several days for a response. Technology has made communication so simple that you can connect with anyone from anywhere by calling them via mobile phone or messaging them using different messaging apps that are easy to download.

Innovation in communication technology has had an immense influence on social life. Human socialising has become easier by using social networking sites, dating, and even matrimonial services available on mobile applications and websites.

Today, the Internet is used for shopping, paying utility bills, credit card bills, admission fees, e-commerce, and online banking. In the world of marketing, many companies are marketing and selling their products and creating brands over the internet. 

In the field of travel, cities, towns, states, and countries are using the web to post detailed tourist and event information. Travellers across the globe can easily find information on tourism, sightseeing, places to stay, weather, maps, timings for events, transportation schedules, and buy tickets to various tourist spots and destinations.

Technology in the Office or Workplace:

Technology has increased efficiency and flexibility in the workspace. Technology has made it easy to work remotely, which has increased the productivity of the employees. External and internal communication has become faster through emails and apps. Automation has saved time, and there is also a reduction in redundancy in tasks. Robots are now being used to manufacture products that consistently deliver the same product without defect until the robot itself fails. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technology are innovations that are being deployed across industries to reap benefits.

Technology has wiped out the manual way of storing files. Now files are stored in the cloud, which can be accessed at any time and from anywhere. With technology, companies can make quick decisions, act faster towards solutions, and remain adaptable. Technology has optimised the usage of resources and connected businesses worldwide. For example, if the customer is based in America, he can have the services delivered from India. They can communicate with each other in an instant. Every company uses business technology like virtual meeting tools, corporate social networks, tablets, and smart customer relationship management applications that accelerate the fast movement of data and information.

Technology in Education:

Technology is making the education industry improve over time. With technology, students and parents have a variety of learning tools at their fingertips. Teachers can coordinate with classrooms across the world and share their ideas and resources online. Students can get immediate access to an abundance of good information on the Internet. Teachers and students can access plenty of resources available on the web and utilise them for their project work, research, etc. Online learning has changed our perception of education. 

The COVID-19 pandemic brought a paradigm shift using technology where school-going kids continued their studies from home and schools facilitated imparting education by their teachers online from home. Students have learned and used 21st-century skills and tools, like virtual classrooms, AR (Augmented Reality), robots, etc. All these have increased communication and collaboration significantly. 

Technology in Banking:

Technology and banking are now inseparable. Technology has boosted digital transformation in how the banking industry works and has vastly improved banking services for their customers across the globe.

Technology has made banking operations very sophisticated and has reduced errors to almost nil, which were somewhat prevalent with manual human activities. Banks are adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) to increase their efficiency and profits. With the emergence of Internet banking, self-service tools have replaced the traditional methods of banking. 

You can now access your money, handle transactions like paying bills, money transfers, and online purchases from merchants, and monitor your bank statements anytime and from anywhere in the world. Technology has made banking more secure and safe. You do not need to carry cash in your pocket or wallet; the payments can be made digitally using e-wallets. Mobile banking, banking apps, and cybersecurity are changing the face of the banking industry.

Manufacturing and Production Industry Automation:

At present, manufacturing industries are using all the latest technologies, ranging from big data analytics to artificial intelligence. Big data, ARVR (Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality), and IoT (Internet of Things) are the biggest manufacturing industry players. Automation has increased the level of productivity in various fields. It has reduced labour costs, increased efficiency, and reduced the cost of production.

For example, 3D printing is used to design and develop prototypes in the automobile industry. Repetitive work is being done easily with the help of robots without any waste of time. This has also reduced the cost of the products. 

Technology in the Healthcare Industry:

Technological advancements in the healthcare industry have not only improved our personal quality of life and longevity; they have also improved the lives of many medical professionals and students who are training to become medical experts. It has allowed much faster access to the medical records of each patient. 

The Internet has drastically transformed patients' and doctors’ relationships. Everyone can stay up to date on the latest medical discoveries, share treatment information, and offer one another support when dealing with medical issues. Modern technology has allowed us to contact doctors from the comfort of our homes. There are many sites and apps through which we can contact doctors and get medical help. 

Breakthrough innovations in surgery, artificial organs, brain implants, and networked sensors are examples of transformative developments in the healthcare industry. Hospitals use different tools and applications to perform their administrative tasks, using digital marketing to promote their services.

Technology in Agriculture:

Today, farmers work very differently than they would have decades ago. Data analytics and robotics have built a productive food system. Digital innovations are being used for plant breeding and harvesting equipment. Software and mobile devices are helping farmers harvest better. With various data and information available to farmers, they can make better-informed decisions, for example, tracking the amount of carbon stored in soil and helping with climate change.

Disadvantages of Technology:

People have become dependent on various gadgets and machines, resulting in a lack of physical activity and tempting people to lead an increasingly sedentary lifestyle. Even though technology has increased the productivity of individuals, organisations, and the nation, it has not increased the efficiency of machines. Machines cannot plan and think beyond the instructions that are fed into their system. Technology alone is not enough for progress and prosperity. Management is required, and management is a human act. Technology is largely dependent on human intervention. 

Computers and smartphones have led to an increase in social isolation. Young children are spending more time surfing the internet, playing games, and ignoring their real lives. Usage of technology is also resulting in job losses and distracting students from learning. Technology has been a reason for the production of weapons of destruction.

Dependency on technology is also increasing privacy concerns and cyber crimes, giving way to hackers.

FAQs on Technology Essay

1. What is technology?

Technology refers to innovative ways of doing work through various smart means. The advancement of technology has played an important role in the development of human civilization. It has helped in improving the productivity of individuals and businesses.

2. How has technology changed the face of banking?

Technology has made banking operations very sophisticated. With the emergence of Internet banking, self-service tools have replaced the traditional methods of banking. You can now access your money, handle transactions, and monitor your bank statements anytime and from anywhere in the world. Technology has made banking more secure and safe.

3. How has technology brought a revolution in the medical field?

Patients and doctors keep each other up to date on the most recent medical discoveries, share treatment information, and offer each other support when dealing with medical issues. It has allowed much faster access to the medical records of each patient. Modern technology has allowed us to contact doctors from the comfort of our homes. There are many websites and mobile apps through which we can contact doctors and get medical help.

4. Are we dependent on technology?

Yes, today, we are becoming increasingly dependent on technology. Computers, smartphones, and modern technology have helped humanity achieve success and progress. However, in hindsight, people need to continuously build a healthy lifestyle, sorting out personal problems that arise due to technological advancements in different aspects of human life.

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Essay on Information Technology in 400 Words

• Updated on  
• Apr 26, 2024

Essay on Information Technology: Information Technology is the study of computer systems and telecommunications for storing, retrieving, and transmitting information using the Internet. Today, we rely on information technology to collect and transfer data from and on the internet. Say goodbye to the conventional lifestyle and hello to the realm of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).

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Also Read: Essay on Internet

Scientific discoveries have given birth to Information Technology (IT), which has revolutionized our way of living. Sudden developments in technology have given a boost to IT growth, which has changed the entire world. Students are taught online using smartboards, virtual meetings are conducted between countries to enhance diplomatic ties, online surveys are done to spread social awareness, e-commerce platforms are used for online shopping, etc.

Information Technology has made sharing and collecting information at our fingertips easier. We can learn new things with just a click. IT tools have enhanced global communication, through which we can foster economic cooperation and innovation. Almost every business in the world relies on Information Technology for growth and development. The addiction to information technology is thriving throughout the world.

Also Read: Essay on 5G Technology

• Everyday activities like texting, calling, and video chatting have made communication more efficient.
• E-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart have become a source of online shopping.
• E-learning platforms have made education more accessible.
• The global economy has significantly improved.
• The healthcare sector has revolutionized with the introduction of Electronic Health Records (EHR) and telemedicine.
• Local businesses have expanded into global businesses. 
• Access to any information on the internet in real-time.

Also Read: Essay on Mobile Phone

Disadvantages

Apart from the above-mentioned advantages of Information Technology, there are some disadvantages also.

• Cybersecurity and data breaches are one of the most important issues.
• There is a digital divide in people having access to information technology.
• Our over-relying attitude towards the IT sector makes us vulnerable to technical glitches, system failures and cyber-attacks.
• Excessive use of electronic devices and exposure to screens contribute to health issues.
• Short lifecycles of electronic devices due to rapid changes in technological developments.
• Challenges like copyright infringement and intellectual property will rise because of ease in digital reproduction and distribution.
• Our traditional ways of entertainment have been transformed by online streaming platforms, where we can watch movies and play games online.

The modern world heavily relies on information technology. Indeed, it has fundamentally reshaped our way of living and working, but, we also need to strike a balance between its use and overuse. We must pay attention to the challenges it brings for a sustainable and equitable society.

Also Read: Essay on Technology

Paragraph on Information Technology

Also Read: Essay on Wonder of Science

Short Essay on Information Technology

Check out the short essay on information technology from below:

Also Read: I Love My India Essay: 100 and 500+ Words in English for School Students

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Ans: Information technology is an indispensable part of our lives and has revolutionized the way we connect, work, and live. The IT sector involves the use of computers and electronic gadgets to store, transmit, and retrieve data. In recent year, there has been some rapid changes in the IT sector, which has transformed the world into a global village, where information can be exchanged in real-time across vast distances.

Ans: The IT sector is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world. The IT sector includes IT services, e-commerce, the Internet, Software, and Hardware products. IT sector helps boost productivity and efficiency. Computer applications and digital systems have allowed people to perform multiple tasks at a faster rate. IT sector creates new opportunities for everyone; businesses, professionals, and consumers.

Ans: There are four basic concepts of the IT sector: Information security, business software development, computer technical support, and database and network management.

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