subject: Is There Any Proof To Prove: New Medical Technology Is Helpful? [print this page] Technology is very appealing, especially in the medical field, where time and accuracy is very vital. They are believed to be helpful. Consequently, countless of medical equipments are developed and created every year. The newer, the more it is attractive to people. But, it is said that one should not conclude that the newer, the better. In addition, they are highly priced, contributing to a costly medical care. Evidence is not enough to prove that they really are superior to the older ones. Like laser that made its popularity in 80s and 90s. The use of laser to melt the brain becomes widespread. They said it is far more accurate than the traditional procedure of removing the tumor in the brain. Later, they just realize how it is expensive and demands longer time to finish the procedure. Its effect in the patient was not that good.
And now, surgeon especially specialized in neuro are once again into another promising technology. Intraoperative surgical navigation is a procedure that uses an MRI or CT. The machine shows a 3-D image of the brain, that allow the surgeon to navigate the brain without touching or damaging surrounding tissue like for example the optic nerve. It will be easier to remove the large portion of the tumor. The added safety margin will enable surgeons to safely remove larger portions of a tumor.
What we actually need is proof which claim is the truth. Well-designed studies could tell us what we want to ask. International model are very suggestive to a reliable result. In other well developed countries, new medical technologies are undergone into a series of studies in a handful of academic medical centers of excellence before they are introduced to the market. While in the United States, industry influences the spread and use of the medical technologies. Manufacturers invest their money by paying studies, medical meetings, advertisements and sign up influential and famous physicians. There are possibilities that money and not strict assessments and tests that made equipments pass and approved. Surgeons promote a certain medical technology not because it is effective but most probably because hes been pay well.
Business industry became a partner in the improvement of the medical technologies. They are in one way or another responsible for the continuing progress of technology in the medical field. But we should also be vigilant of their influence on the regulation of qualities of their products. We must also make sure that benefits are worth the price.
Medical technology, with their usefulness comes with side effects and negatives, like for example image scanners could emit a high dose of radiation. Over exposure could cause the patient risk of cancer and many other untoward reactions. In addition a study conducted in Loyola University Chicago Stritch resulted to the discovery that an ordinary exams by a skilled physician could do better than imaging scans in predicting the need of another operation for a brain surgery patients.
