C & ET Research Paper:Medical Technology and changes in the medical world

Abstract

The research paper is based on identifying the technological advancements in the healthcare or medical industry and ways it has affected the care users. Both negative and positive aspects have been identified. The chapters have been divided into five sections. These are the introduction, literature review, the methodology of research, findings, and discussion, and lastly conclusion and recommendations. Each chapter forms a vital part of enriching the study and ensuring a logical development. Only peer-reviewed journals have been consulted and included in the review section. The implications and future scope of research have been identified and stated. Further research has been recommended.

Chapter 1- Introduction

Background/Introduction

The healthcare industry is witnessing a rapid change, and today’s technology has advanced in order to cater to the needs of the rising demands of the population. Every other day, a set of new and innovative solutions are being designed and tested. It has completely changed and influenced the medical world. The research paper mainly incorporates five sections. In the introductory part, the research-worthy problem shall be highlighted, and the goal, research questions, significance, and barriers of the study shall be included. Following that, existing sources and literature shall be identified to build a strong base. Under methodology, the research methods that will be used shall be highlighted. It will be followed by the findings and analysis chapter. Here, an objective description of the collected data and findings shall be outlined in detail. In the last chapter, the logical evidence shall be concluded, and based on the conclusion, research implications, and few recommendations shall be outlined.

Problem Statement

Technology has always contributed to improving the lives of people. Therefore, in the medical industry, the need for using new and innovative instruments to deal with complex health-related issues seems necessary. The human body requires assistance from technology, and advances in the engineering and science field can resolve the medical problems (Health Affairs. 2020). There is a need for more sophisticated instruments such as mobility aids, artificial limbs, and other machines that can monitor the healthcare needs of patients. Notably, the aged population in the U.S suffers from broad health conditions. However, a problem or dilemma still exists in society regarding complete dependence on technology for medical purposes. Practitioners and physicians might face legal issues while employing technology. For instance, during pregnancy termination, technology allows experts to view the conditions of the fetus, and they might face a dilemma while making decisions (Forbes.com, 2020). It poses a question of whether medical technology empowers or imposes doctors to make decisions. Hence, further research regarding this issue is necessary.  It is also vital to note down the recent changes that occurred due to the implementation of medical technology.

Goal

The goal of the research is to identify the recent and notable changes that have been brought by medical technology in the past five years. The purpose is to identify both the positive and negative changes occurring in the medical world.

Research Questions

• How medical technology has transformed the medical industry in the past five years?
• Does medical technology empower or create dilemmas for practitioners?
• Is it rewarding to implement medical technology in today’s digital world?
• Are there any risks associated with its implementation and execution?

Relevance and Significance

Aged individuals are suffering from conditions that require complete diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring using virtual means. Medical technology can range from latex gloves to implantable devices such as pacemakers and heart valves (Kim, Gollamudi, & Steinhubl, 2017). The purpose of conducting the research is to identify the breakthroughs that occurred in the last five years and ways in which the innovation can improve the lives of the aged individuals. Nevertheless, the dilemma among the practitioners still exists regarding complete dependence on technology. The benefit of conducting the research or solving the dilemma is to gain deep insights regarding the field. Ignoring the issue is likely to create a lack of basic understanding of technological advancements in the medical field. The scope of research is vast because the chances of finding sustainable solutions to the current dilemma of practitioners are also present.

Barriers and Issues

The implementation and complete dependence on medical technology is a matter of debate. Nevertheless, the aged population in the U.S might get benefitted because technology is reshaping the world of medicine (Blume, 2016). Identifying the recent developments can be easy; however, finding out the degree to which it has successfully touched the lives of the aged population is initially a complicated issue to resolve. The goal is to identify both the negative and positive implications, and therefore, it can solve the potential dilemma of practitioners.

Chapter 2- Literature Review

Introduction

The chapter mainly incorporates various literature sources related to the topic. It will help to build a solid foundation for further research (Hickerson, Taylor & Terhaar, 2016). Pre-existing literature can serve as a guide, and it is necessary to gain a comprehensive idea about the previous researches (Hart, 2018). It can help justify the research problem as well.

Technological advancements in the medical world within the last five years

As stated by Sun & Lee (2017), the acceptance rate of technology in the medial world has been a gradual process. Previously, X-ray images were used as a diagnostic tool, and doctors realized that human error would reduce due to the accuracy of machine-based results. Similarly, ECG, the most reliable and portable device, has been accepted in the medical world as well. In the last five years, doctors have witnessed ways in which medicine and technology are overlapped and help improve lives. For instance, the researchers stated that smart inhalers have effectively corrected asthma of 90% of its users. However, patients require proper training regarding the appropriate usage of smart inhalers. Robotic surgery, one of the noteworthy contributions of medical technology, allows surgeons to rely on robots and augmented reality while handling complex cases. Most importantly, artificial organs are playing a vital role in shaping the world of medicine. 3-D printing of organs is creating exciting possibilities, and the 3-D printed pancreas, blood vessels, or synthetic ovaries can replace the damaged organs. Lastly, Apple introduced one of the groundbreaking health wearables in 2018. The Apple Series 4 can monitor heart rhythms of the wearers.

Long-term health complications in older adults

The aged population in the U.S is suffering from severe chronic illnesses, and 90% of individuals above 65-years of age are reported to have been suffering from either diabetes or arthritis or any other heart-related complication. Again, hypertension is one of the major causes of the high prevalence of chronic illnesses. The problem continues to persist because healthcare management might not be sufficient enough. Hence, the older population requires support and extended help from the practitioners. The complications are purely age-related. Vision and hearing loss can be considered as part of normal ageing (Jaul & Barron, 2017). Again, researchers stated that above 85 years, dementia, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular diseases are common as well. Due to overweight, the aged population is also facing mobility issues. They recommended the usage of assistive technology to increase life expectancy among older adults. Again, the psychological, as well as social changes, are likely to occur, and it is difficult to predict the implications of a range of diseases over the long-term. Older adults require support from practitioners to make informed health-related decisions.

The dilemma of practitioners regarding the usage of medical technology

Goodyear (2017) stated that practitioners are most likely to face ethical dilemmas while implementing new technologies. Notably, procedure-related complications seem challenging for them. The author has considered three different empirical studies to identify ethical dilemmas. The study shows that wearable devices and mobile apps track the information of patients. Sensitive data of users are stored in these devices, and some patients might not be comfortable enough to share that information online. Moreover, without the informed consent of patients, the information should not be shared among professionals. Technology has increased communication and created scope for improved healthcare, however, it has also created legal and ethical dilemmas where physicians and therapists are unsure about the implications. Digital technologies offer a range of interactional capabilities, and apps store this information for future use. Further research in this regard is paramount, and ethical debates are stressed. The gap of understanding must be cleared enough for physicians.

Ways in which technology is preventing the occurrence of diseases

According to Dupuis & Tsotsos (2018), the health monitoring of mobile devices is effective in empowering the older population. They can easily have access to information by using their tablets and smartphones. They can install mobile apps in their devices and get useful information regarding medications and usability of health apps. By tracking down the information, older people can also prevent diseases as they are staying updated with the latest health-related information. Again, the research suggests that there has been increasing usage of ICT among older adults. They are adopting ICT as they have access to the internet and computerized devices. The method is cost-effective, as well. They can use communication and information technology from the comfort of their homes. Individuals aged 65-70 are at higher risk of functional impairment, sudden falls, and isolation. They are most likely to suffer from depression as well. However, here technology plays an active role by allowing them access to mobile devices. They will no longer feel alone or isolated. Mhealth is one of the innovative technologies that offer 7000 applications and, consequently, improves the life quality of older adults.

Risks associated with complete dependence on technology

Studies show the positive impact of medical technology; however, recent research also highlights the downside of complete dependence on technology. Technology can threaten the safety of patients. For instance, alarms are attached to medical devices. It is used in dialysis units, infusion pumps and ventilators to create awareness regarding the upcoming danger. However, certain adverse events might also take place. It can create alarm fatigue because people tend to confuse the alarms with car alarms. They might ignore it entirely, and it delays the action. Hospitals might fail to assign the right person who should be responsible for staying alert. Similarly, the research shows that around 7.6 million U.S adults use home-based medical care devices (Magrabi et al., 2019). However, they do not receive any professional training and lack complete knowledge about device usability or unpredictable outcomes. Hence, patients at home are not always sure about the correct usage of equipment. Governing health apps is challenging, as well.

Literature gap

While conducting the review, all kinds of useful academic resources could not be gathered and analyzed mainly due to a shortage of time and complexity of the topic. It has created a gap, and therefore further research could have enriched the search.

Chapter 3- Methodology Specifics (comparative analysis)

Introduction

The technique used to gather and analyze data is referred to as research methodology. It is a systematic process and helps researchers to organize data and evaluate findings. A structure is usually followed, and different methods can be used to collect data (Flick, 2015). A mixed-method is also used. However, here, one type of method has been used to reduce the complexity of research.

Comparative analysis

The research methodology includes the usage of either primary data collection technique or a secondary method or a mixed approach. The primary method includes gathering first-hand data, and it is field-based. Usually, questionnaires are prepared, and surveys or interviews conducted to understand the perceptions of the sample population. The data is later analyzed using quantitative methods. On the other hand, the secondary method involves the collection of existing literature sources such as journals and books (Johnston, 2017). Based on the existing literature, the objectives of the research are analyzed. Thereafter, the chosen literature is analyzed and synthesized in the following chapters. The primary method ensures the collection of first-hand data; however, the process is time-consuming and involves huge expenditure. However, the secondary method is less time consuming and more rewarding. It can also fulfill the aim and research objectives of the study. Therefore, in this case, the secondary technique has been employed for ease of research.

Research methods

The secondary method of data collection has been used to fulfill the study objectives. Relevant sources, including books, articles, and reputed journals, have been consulted. It enhanced the knowledge base on the topic. Only academically-reviewed journals have been chosen, and it formed the foundation of the current study. Study materials have been chosen using Google Scholar and PubMed. These two sources are authentic and publish relevant journals only. Hence, choosing from a range of recently published journals on medical technology has been an effective learning process. Additionally, the keywords used for conducting the research are “Medical changes,” “Medical Technology,” “chronic health conditions,” “aged population,” and “risks of medical technology.” A range of keywords has been chosen to enrich the study and reach a firm conclusion. Rather than conducting a survey, it was less time-consuming (Clarke & Cossette, 2016). The chosen sources are credible because papers have been published on academic websites only. Nevertheless, it was challenging to select a few relevant sources from a million choices. After the selection process, summarizing the articles helped in gaining a deeper understanding of the topic. Thereafter, the viewpoints of various researchers have been compared and contrasted. Most of the chosen journals were available free of cost, and the information presented in the paper has been analyzed twice before writing the paper.

Chapter 4- Findings and Results

Data analysis

Data has been analyzed after understanding the results of the chosen articles and journals. Information suggests that over the last five years, the medical world started to gradually accept the technological advancements and its benefits. From traditional methods such as X-Ray and ECG to modern techniques such as Robotic surgery, 3-D printed organs, and mobile apps, medical technology has successfully gained wider acceptance. In this age, the older generation is suffering from chronic illnesses, and mobile applications such as mHealth can allow them to acquire health-related information. However, practitioners are unsure about the complete dependence on technology as it can pose severe threats to patients.

Findings & discussion

The highlights and findings of the study are-

• 90% of the older population in the U.S is suffering from hypertension, osteoporosis, dementia and cardiovascular illnesses
• Technological advancements are gaining gradual acceptance in the medical world
• Medical technology such as 3-D organ printing, robotic surgery, and mobile health applications are re-inventing the healthcare industry
• However, practitioners face ethical and legal dilemmas as health apps store patient’s information to track them down and it invades their privacy
• ICT is enabling older adults to gain access to cost-effective healthcare
• Use of alarms in ventilators and infusion pumps can cause damage and is it one of the negative impacts of medical technology

The importance of using technology in medicine is evident. Thousands of mobile apps are catering to the needs of the patients. Notably, older adults feel empowered by getting access to such information. Innovation in this industry is essential, and advancements such as artificial organ transplants and surgeries using robots can resolve health complications of adults. On the downside, making ethical decisions and ensuring a better clinical experience has become an issue in the medical community.

Analysis

The findings from the selected journals are varied in nature. Each of the reviews can be related to the previously formed research objectives. On the one hand, research suggests that technology has transformed the medicine industry and empowered older adults. On the other hand, research also indicates that it has created new threats and dilemmas. Privacy concerns associated with the usage of mobile apps is a serious concern. Hence, a comparative account of both the positive and negative impact of medical technology has been found. Hence, digital solutions have reshaped the healthcare industry.

Synthesis

The findings can be generalized in this section. The results can be applied for future use. For instance, the analysis of the findings repeatedly claims that technology can enhance the quality of life of its users. Particularly, people suffering from chronic illnesses require the support of information technology to take care of their health. However, without proper professional training and safety precautions, it results in mismanagement. Excessive dependence can pose serious threats, and users might forget to differentiate among medical equipment and other similar equipment that serves a different purpose.

Discussion

Despite the presence of associated medical risks, it is paramount in today’s digital world to take advantage of digital solutions. U.S adults increasingly depend on home-based technology for catering to healthcare needs. Therefore, it is impossible to eliminate technology from the medical industry. From appointments to healthy diets and regular checkups, mobile apps can be really advantageous for people suffering from long-term health complications. However, they lack complete knowledge about the usability of all kinds of home-based medical equipment. It can pose a danger and can be fatal. Nevertheless, medical technology such as 3-D printing and surgery robots are here to stay as it eases those previously challenging medical barriers.

Chapter 5- Conclusion and Future Recommendations

Conclusions

It can be concluded that the research questions have been answered by using the secondary method. Though, secondary method limits the research scope and findings are not always in sync with the main objective of the research. Nevertheless, in this study, it was possible to achieve the goal of identifying the last five-year technological changes in medicine. The goal was to know both the positive and negative changes. On the positive side, the findings suggest that medical technology has advanced the practice of medicine. It has gradually gained complete acceptance because it is meeting the chronic care needs of adults. On the negative side, excessive dependence can paralyze the thinking and decision making skills of users and care providers. Practitioners face ethical issues, and users are concerned about their privacy due to the vulnerable nature of mobile apps. Lastly, one of the limitations of the study is any alternative explanations have not been found.

Implications

The study can serve as a guide for further research as a lack of time and resources limited its scope. Nevertheless, the paper can be a foundation for enhancing knowledge of medical technology. It notably contributed towards the fact that it highlighted the significance for older adults in U.S. Older adults are the most isolated population, and the contribution of health apps cannot be denied. The study can be used for future research regarding the implications of robotic surgery and 3-D printing as well.

Recommendations

The negative aspects of the implementation of medical technology have been understood, and the following recommendations are suggested-

• Increasing the efficiency of data sharing on mobile apps and reducing the occurrences of error by adopting proper management tools
• Patient’s convenience and consent must be prioritized over any other thing because patients are trusting the apps and exchanging information
• Using EHR or Electronic Health Record to simplify the medicare and record-keeping process (Kopel, Hier & Thomas, 2019).

References

Appendices

Figure 1: 3D printing of organ

(Source: webforum.org, 2020)

Figure 2: Rising prevalence of chronic illnesses in the U.S

(Source: mpkb.org, 2020)

Figure 3: mHealth is a beneficial technological advancement

(Source: medicalnewstoday.com, 2020)