Appreciate the significance of the physical examination in medical history.
A patient enters the ER with intense migraines after a bike accident; immediately, the doctor requests an X-ray, full blood test, and sets up a potential MRI for her head and neck if initial tests are unclear. As an ER scribe, I've observed numerous cases where a rapid physical assessment is followed by extensive technological diagnostic tools. While it's normal for today's doctors to rely on tech, it's easy to forget that such advancements have been around for under a century.
For instance, X-Rays were identified in 1895 but only later became a part of diagnostic practice. The first official CT scans took place on October 1, 1971. The initial MRI on a human was on July 3, 1977. Considering that the Hippocratic Oath has been around for millennia and official medical degrees since 1200 A.D., it's remarkable that for centuries doctors primarily depended on physical exams and wisdom to treat ailments.
Even if future doctors benefit from cutting-edge medical practice, it's crucial to remember and value the role of physical examination in medical history. While today's medicine is more precise due to diagnostics, before jumping to tests, take extra moments to genuinely listen to a patient's worries. You might discover something technology overlooks. Even if modern insurance limits patient interaction, always remember medicine's essence: an art centered on the patient.
I emphasize the significance of a thorough physical checkup for upcoming doctors, but technology undeniably has its rightful place in today's medicine. Absent these tools, countless lives wouldn't be saved. We must acknowledge the might of contemporary medicine and eagerly await future innovations.
Virtual reality promises a revolution in medical teaching. In April 2016, Dr. Ahmed used a VR camera in a surgery, removing a tumor from a patient's bowel. This allowed anyone, from students to families, to witness the surgery live via two 360-degree cameras in the surgical room. Dr. Ahmed suggests that soon, surgeries could include augmented data for viewers. In a few years, devices might even allow viewers to feel the surgeon's movements, merging visual and tactile experiences.
In an era where doctors manage vast information, AI offers great promise to streamline essential data for accurate diagnoses. Recently, Google DeepMind Health started examining patient records, aiding in the early detection of eye diseases from patient data. This tool has considerably reduced the time doctors spend analyzing data, allowing more patient interaction. This early-stage technology hints at vast potential, from disease detection to preventive care, optimizing doctors' time for improved patient care and informed health choices.
Entering medicine now, we're on the cusp of rapid advancements. With technology evolving swiftly, we're poised to address major health issues. Yet, new tech brings new ethical questions. Regardless of how medicine transforms, our primary responsibility remains the same: to center our practice around the patient, healing both physically and emotionally.
