How Computers Affect the Medical Field
Among the fields that have made tremendous advances since the invention of computers, the medical field is definitely one of the most impacted. Computers are used in almost all health care areas. Whether it’s data storage, management and sharing, diagnosis, or procedures, computers help with it all. The majority of what we do today in the healthcare area depends on computers.
Data Storage, Management, and Sharing
Computers have greatly changed how we store, manage and share medical data. Doctors used to have to write down all records on paper, and they could get lost. But, now with computers doctors can easily enter records into a safe and easy to access server that can store lots of data. “In making sure that a patient gets effective and appropriate health care, their medical history must be kept on record for constant referral.” (unc.edu). Information such as the health status of a patient, and the allergies of the patient, are necessary for healthcare providers at all times. And, computers are the perfect storage device for this. They have an insanely large memory that can store immense amounts of data and keep it safe, and easily assessable. They also allow easy sharing of data between different healthcare providers.
Diagnostic Tests
Computers also affect how we conduct and analyze diagnostic tests. “The different types of monitoring equipment in hospitals are often based on computer programming.” (buzzle.com). “Computers allow us the take pictures, x-rays, scanning, and other useful tools needed to view the human body and produce a diagnosis.” (unc.edu). Computers help us do/take...
Procedures
Another way computers affect the medical field is in procedures. “Where surgery was once open, messy, and produced extensive visible scars, it now is very cosmetic, quick, and clean.” (kevinmd.com). A decade ago, the surgical procedures were not close to as good as they are today with computers. Computers have also reduced the number of fatalities during procedures. But, one bad thing about computers, is they “bring their own clutter that must be sorted through, and sorting through it can become incredibly exhausting and time-consuming for the physician.”(McKnight, 3/5/16). Computers have helped to streamline healthcare and make prescribing medicine easier, but they can be a headache at times.
Conclusion
In conclusion, computers have changed the medical field in ways we never could have imagined. They have improved data storage, management and sharing, diagnosis, and procedures. Although computers have made healthcare better and easier, they still present some problems. Records can be hacked into. Medical tests can be incorrect, or run wrong by the computer. They can create clutter. All in all, computers help solve many problems in the medical field, but still don’t solve everything. But, one thing we can look forward to is ongoing advances in the medical field in the near future all as a result of computers.
Among the fields that have made tremendous advances since the invention of computers, the medical field is definitely one of the most impacted. Computers are used in almost all health care areas. Whether it’s data storage, management and sharing, diagnosis, or procedures, computers help with it all. The majority of what we do today in the healthcare area depends on computers.
Data Storage, Management, and Sharing
Computers have greatly changed how we store, manage and share medical data. Doctors used to have to write down all records on paper, and they could get lost. But, now with computers doctors can easily enter records into a safe and easy to access server that can store lots of data. “In making sure that a patient gets effective and appropriate health care, their medical history must be kept on record for constant referral.” (unc.edu). Information such as the health status of a patient, and the allergies of the patient, are necessary for healthcare providers at all times. And, computers are the perfect storage device for this. They have an insanely large memory that can store immense amounts of data and keep it safe, and easily assessable. They also allow easy sharing of data between different healthcare providers.
Diagnostic Tests
Computers also affect how we conduct and analyze diagnostic tests. “The different types of monitoring equipment in hospitals are often based on computer programming.” (buzzle.com). “Computers allow us the take pictures, x-rays, scanning, and other useful tools needed to view the human body and produce a diagnosis.” (unc.edu). Computers help us do/take...
- Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT or CT)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Functional MRI (fMRI)
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
- Magnetoencephalography (MEG)4
Procedures
Another way computers affect the medical field is in procedures. “Where surgery was once open, messy, and produced extensive visible scars, it now is very cosmetic, quick, and clean.” (kevinmd.com). A decade ago, the surgical procedures were not close to as good as they are today with computers. Computers have also reduced the number of fatalities during procedures. But, one bad thing about computers, is they “bring their own clutter that must be sorted through, and sorting through it can become incredibly exhausting and time-consuming for the physician.”(McKnight, 3/5/16). Computers have helped to streamline healthcare and make prescribing medicine easier, but they can be a headache at times.
Conclusion
In conclusion, computers have changed the medical field in ways we never could have imagined. They have improved data storage, management and sharing, diagnosis, and procedures. Although computers have made healthcare better and easier, they still present some problems. Records can be hacked into. Medical tests can be incorrect, or run wrong by the computer. They can create clutter. All in all, computers help solve many problems in the medical field, but still don’t solve everything. But, one thing we can look forward to is ongoing advances in the medical field in the near future all as a result of computers.