Medicine and Health
Medicine
The equipment, tools, and processes used by medical professionals to observe a patient's health and determine appropriate treatments.
- Digital technologies have transformed medical diagnostics, providing more accurate and efficient tools.
- These technologies include, but are not limited to, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, wearable devices, and robotic systems.
AI in Predictive Medicine: The US Department of Justice used AI to track prescription drug misuse, assigning risk scores to patients. However, this led to issues like patients being denied necessary treatment.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- AI and machine learning are used to analyze and monitor medical data, such as images and scans.
- These technologies can identify patterns and suggest diagnoses, often with greater accuracy than human professionals.
- However, issues like false positives require human verification.
A false positive is a test result that incorrectly indicates the presence of a condition.
Wearable Medical Devices
- A device worn by individuals to provide continuous, real-time data for improving treatment, diagnosis, and monitoring.
- Wearable devices offer real-time data on vital signs, activity levels, and more.
- They enable continuous monitoring and can alert medical professionals to potential issues.
Telemedicine
- The remote treatment of patients using digital technologies.
- Telemedicine uses video conferencing and IoT devices to provide remote healthcare.
- This approach reduces costs and improves accessibility, especially for remote or underserved areas.
Robotic Surgery
- Surgery performed using robots, often controlled by a surgeon.
- Robotic surgeries offer greater precision, flexibility, and control compared to traditional methods.
- These procedures often require smaller incisions, reducing risk and recovery time.
Da Vinci Surgical System: A robotic surgery system that allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures with high precision.
Medical Research and Development
- Work focused on innovating, improving, and introducing new services or products.
- R&D in health technology aims to solve global health problems, improve existing treatments, and innovate new tools.
- Stakeholders include universities, governments, non-profits, and private corporations.
Communities with fewer resources often rely on philanthropic donations or government support for R&D.
Health and Wellness Records, Monitoring, and Tracking
- Digital health records store patient information in centralized databases, offering immediate access and improved accuracy.
- IoT devices and smart pills provide real-time data on patient health and medication adherence.
Ransomware attacks on hospitals are increasing, highlighting the need for strong security measures to protect patient data.
Self review- How has digital technology transformed medical diagnostics and care?
- What are the benefits and challenges of using AI in healthcare?
- How do digital health records improve patient care?
How do digital technologies in healthcare balance innovation with ethical considerations?
