The Impact of Technology on the Healthcare Field - Literature review Example

Bibliography Connotations Technological advances have also led to progress in the field of healthcare, though there are differing views on that. Wolf (2011), Bauman (2013) and Spekowius and Wendler (2013) are of the view that the enhancement of technology practices on healthcare infrastructure can very effectively contribute in the betterment of the delivery and structure of healthcare systems. Moreover, Miller, Swenson & Robinson (2012) argues on the impact of healthcare in innovating the field on healthcare by offering state of the art machinery, further adding to which Anderson & Aydin (2005) comments on the role of IT in the development of management infrastructure to the advantage of healthcare. Other authors addressing the subject from an interdisciplinary approach tend to focus on the communications technology as well which has paved way for dialogue in the field of healthcare which is crucial to its advancement in the future. On the other hand authors like Dodo (2012) criticize the technology in offering only specific solutions to ageing problems while adding costs to the healthcare system. Also, authors like Postman (1992) are of the opposing view that technology plays a rather unconstructive role in this context, as humans are becoming over-reliant on technology where they are losing their sense of values and human development. Thus, there are differing views on the subject with a stronger inclination towards the argument that technology leads towards the advancement in the field of healthcare. Wolf (2011) has organized a thematic guide for healthcare administrators and practitioners to demonstrate the effectiveness of scientific technology on healthcare. In his book, he has sought information from literature available on the subject and co-related that with practical practices in healthcare. Combining the knowledge on various themes like culture, IT and leadership with healthcare, he was able to conclude that enhancement of technology practices on healthcare infrastructure can very effectively contribute in the betterment of the delivery and structure of healthcare systems. Thus, improvement in Healthcare management systems will contribute towards a cut in costs and will enhance the efficiency of healthcare practices. Moreover, this will also conveniently help in augmenting patient security and will also cover for professional’s shortage in an institute. Game based Teaching Simulations is yet another striking innovation in information technology which can effectively be utilized by healthcare practitioners (Bauman 2013). In his book, Bauman (2013) provides logical and systematic insights on how game-based learning practices can be incorporated into medical learning to further enhance the development of complex decision making, also in enhancing the critical skills of the practitioners. The text analyzes existential models in experiential learning and incorporates theories in learning into it to explain how effective simulation techniques can turn out to be. Moreover, such practices can be quite convenient as the seasoned medical professional can experiment with new techniques via Information Technology and at the same time reducing the risks to patient security. Thus, game-simulation techniques can be quoted as a huge breakthrough for clinic experts as they can now perform state of the art techniques and offer solutions for the most complicated medical problems. Spekowius and Wendler (2006) comment on the direct impact of technology in resolving medical problems in real time in a variety of ways. It focuses on the perspective that the innovation in technology has contributed towards the improvement of now only hospitals but also home healthcare, by offering better ways to deal with the health problems, otherwise complex in nature. It focuses on the wonders of science in the development of procedures in MRI and CT Scan, and healthcare equipment for instance for those suffering from diabetes or heart diseases by which they can take care of themselves at home. Also, it goes ahead and predicts the future of technology in health science which will be much more impactful and innovative. Critical analysis of a paper published recently, ‘Organization for Economic Co-operation & Development”, indicates that the economic as well as social impacts of chronic brain disorders (CBS) will be much higher in future than it is now. Furthermore, diseases like Alzheimer`s will become one of the most pressing diseases by 2050 directly effecting about 100 million people. Since the demographic trend indicates that by 2050 a higher population would fall under the age group being influenced by CBS`s, technology will have to play it`s part by offering effective management solutions to fit in as many patients as possible. Furthermore, Miller, Swenson & Robinson (2012) draw on their years of experience to explore emerging trends in the technology with reference to medicine. The authors have used case study method and thus, have sought case from all over US to present challenges as well as breakthroughs in Information Technology in context to the world of medicine. On one hand they discuss the wonders of technology in innovating the field of medicine, i.e. the contribution of science in surgery facilities and design architecture for state of the art machinery being used for differential diagnosis and treatment. On the other hand, they also point out issues associate with IT including triage, cost effectives of make-overs and failure to distinguish between the intensity of invasive procedures. Though the pro`s of the Information Technology outweighs is Cons, a sense of direction still needs to be sought in order to avoid any discrepancies. The text presents an unbiased and a rational view of the role of technology in medical facilities, owing to what they had learnt from all their case studies. Anderson & Aydin (2005) have yet again analyzed on the impact of Information Technology and its underlying models on transforming the organizational setup of the healthcare systems. The text solely focuses on research and evaluation on programs and applications for data analysis to be utilized by hospital management. Also, data from health care journals has been analyzed again sources from social sciences as well as information technology to derive theory and methodology. After analysis and application of theory, it has been concluded that the current expenditure on Information Technology in US now exceed about $15 billion which will only add value to the information systems and prove helpful for physicians, nurses and also healthcare providers in order to plan, develop, strategize, and evauate health care programs. ‘The Value of Innovation’ explores the incorporation of technology in the field of biogenetics and pharmacological medicine to prove how it adds to the quality of life and improves risk management for the patients (Farkuhar, Summers and Sorkin 2008). This book has utilized the literature review from economics journals, safety in health services, occupational and health improvement, systems development and biomedicine to explain how technology assures quality, safety and regulatory development in the field of medicine. The text argues that the transparency and efficiency in information will lead to improved safety of medical products and also enhances the quality of services which will improve the quality of life of those undertaking medical treatment. Moreover, the contents of the book focus on how innovation can also help in better decision making and cutting costs in medical treatment. Thus, it strongly advocates for the utilization of scientific decision making practices in private as well as public organization tom ensure innovation, safety and efficiency. Moreover, another aspect where technology can add value to the field of medicine is communication technology (Grutter 2002). Grutter (2002) is of the view that healthcare must also utilize communication technology, like other disciplines, to circulate explicit as well as tactical knowledge base in the subject. The logical evidence based knowledge along with the clinical guidelines and the information shared by a physician`s experience must be articulated and circulated to impact further knowledge production in the field. Thus, communication technology provides the medical practitioners in maintaining a database and further articulating new techniques and modern procedures with their peers. Also, if offers them with a platform, innovative in nature, where they can also test and record their theories and seek solutions to otherwise complex problems. Joseph Tan (2012) has further added knowledge to the subject by using an interdisciplinary approach to healthcare information and communications technology. After analyzing literature from various sources, Tan (2012) come up with enriched content especially for academic researchers, which is also useful for medical practitioners. The text highlights the fact that management research in the field of technology can lead to breakthroughs in innovative concepts which can be very useful in offering solutions for issues in healthcare information system and even the informatics, which is the backbone of the medicine. Further adding to the discussion, Szczerba, Robert and Marco (2012) are of the view that science must be integrated with technology to help improve healthcare in the US. In other words, they are of the view that science leads to knowledge production via research whereas technology is the practical application of the knowledge. Also, much isn’t being done in the application of knowledge and serious reforms must be implemented by increasing the budget in healthcare technology. Moreover, they suggest that only by the application of the scientific knowledge is it possible that there is distinctive improvement in healthcare delivery as well as in patient care in hospitals. The authors have analyzed the literature on the subject and done quantitative as well as qualitative analysis on the subject. Dodo (2012) criticizes the technology in offering only specific solutions to ageing problems. This only adds to the cost and offers solution limited in perspectives. The engineers and technology experts should rather change their course of action and produce knowledge and technology especially for healthcare facilities in such a way that the results are holistic in nature and serve a wide range of solutions. Carlisle (2012) talks about the subject from another angle and persuades the medical practitioners to utilize social media especially mediums like Twitter to initiate a discussion and add to the knowledge. Also, after having done participant observation in the medium and analyzing various literature, Carlisle (2012) is of the view that if a dialogue is initiated by using information technology and social media, healthcare will see a drastic revolution globally. Analyzing the text of ‘technopoly’, another aspect of the field of technology can be realized which is often ignored by other researchers. Postman (1992) has coined the term technopoly to stress on the monolopoly of technology in the world. This implies that technology has dominated the human development to such an extent that a human can`t even seem to function without it. More so, he exaggerates the point to the extent of stating that it is not the human race running the technology, instead it is now the technology running the human race. In other words, he says that a society is shaped by the kind of technology it uses and thus, technology has now become the identity of humans. In his book, Postman (1992) has discover the grounded theory from the analysis of ongoing technological breakthroughs and its effect on humans. He explores technology from the aspect of political, education, art, intelligence and even truth. In this context, even medicine seems to be so much effected by technology that the human contribution in the field has gone obsolete. References: ANDERSON, J. G., & AYDIN, C. E. (2005). Evaluating the organizational impact of healthcare information systems. New York, NY, Springer. http://site.ebrary.com/id/10129431. BAUMAN, E. B. (2013). Game-based teaching and simulation in nursing and healthcare. New York, Springer Pub. Co. Carlisle, D. (January 01, 2012). The Twitter challenge. A wide-ranging discussion over the future of technology in healthcare took in everything from telecare to the digital divide to the NHSs failure to engage with social media. The Health Service Journal, 6302.) Dodo, Audrey. (2012). A sensitive technology for a sensitive challenge. (Dodo, Audrey. A sensitive technology for a sensitive challenge. "JACCES: Journal of Accessibility and Design for All", 2012, vol. 2, núm. 1, p. 45-61.) Càtedra dAccessibilitat. FARQUHAR, I., SUMMERS, K., & SORKIN, A. L. (2008). The value of innovation impact on health, life quality, safety and regulatory research. Bingley, JAI Press. http://site.ebrary.com/id/10409263.Grütter, R. (2002). Knowledge Media and Healthcare: Opportunities and Challenges. Hershey: Idea Group Publishing. Tan, J. (2012). Advancing technologies and intelligence in healthcare and clinical environments: Breakthroughs. Hershey, PA: Medical Information Science Reference. MILLER, R. L., SWENSSON, E. S., & ROBINSON, J. T. (2012). Hospital and healthcare facility design. New York, W.W Norton & Co. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (January 01, 2013). Emerging Trends in Biomedicine and Health Technology Innovation: Addressing the Global Challenge of Alzheimers. POSTMAN, N. (1992). Technopoly: the surrender of culture to technology. New York, Knopf. Spekowius, G., & Wendler, T. (2006). Advances in healthcare technology: Shaping the future of medical care. Dordrecht: Springer. Szczerba, Robert J, & Huesch, Marco D. (2012). Why technology matters as much as science in improving healthcare. (BioMed Central Ltd.) BioMed Central Ltd. Wolf, J. A. (2011). Organization development in healthcare: Conversations on research and strategies. Bingley: Emerald Group. Read More