Health technology is defined by the World Health Organization as the application of organized knowledge and skills in the form of devices, medicines, vaccines, procedures and systems developed to solve a health problem and improve quality of lives. This includes the pharmaceuticals, devices, procedures and organizational systems used in health care.
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Medical technology
Medical technology, or medtech, encompasses a wide range of healthcare products and is used to treat diseases or medical conditions affecting humans. Such technologies (applications of medical science) are intended to improve the quality of healthcare delivered through earlier diagnosis, less invasive treatment options and reductions in hospital stays and rehabilitation times. Recent advances in medical technology have also focused on cost reduction. Medical technology may broadly include medical devices, information technology, biotech, and healthcare services.
The impacts of medical technology may involve social and ethical issues. For example, physicians may seek objective information from technology rather than listening to subjective patient reports.
A major driver of the sector's growth is the consumerization of medtech. Supported by the widespread availability of smartphones and tablets, providers are able to reach a large audience at low cost, a trend that stands to be consolidated as wearable technologies spread throughout the market.
In the past 5 years running up to the end of 2015, venture funding has grown 200%, allowing US$11.7 billion to flow into health tech businesses from over 30,000 investors in the space.
The overdependence on the use of technology in every treatment step can result in severe economic burdens to families and individuals.
There has been an unprecedented rise in the utilization of automated clinical laboratories and CT scanners without any prove that they are necessary and beneficial to the individuals and families.
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Allied professions
The term medical technology may also refer to the duties performed by clinical laboratory professionals in various settings within the public and private sectors. The work of these professionals encompass clinical applications of chemistry, genetics, hematology, immunohematology (blood banking), immunology, microbiology, serology, urinalysis and miscellaneous body fluid analysis. Depending on location, educational level and certifying body, these professionals may be referred to as biomedical scientists, medical laboratory scientists (MLS), medical technologists (MT), medical laboratory technologists and medical laboratory technicians.
Monitoring one's health
In recent years smartphones have allowed people to monitor their own health. With these smartphones there comes apps that are related to health and how to monitor it. An example of this is Fitbit, which is an app that connects to the Fitbit watch. This watch allows people to track their steps, heart rate, floors climbed, miles walked, active minutes, and sleep patterns. With these advancement in these types of technologies this has allowed people to keep track of their own health. There is already the internet that many use to "self diagnose" themselves instead of going to their doctor. But, now there are these apps and fitness watches to add to that "self diagnose/monitor" category. These advance may eventually have some effect on doctor visits from patients.
Health Technology Careers
There are numerous careers to choose from in health technology. These are very promising and have good prospects in the coming years. Listed below are some job titles and average salaries.
- Athletic Trainer, Salary: $41,340. Athletic trainers treat athletes and other individuals who have sustained injuries. They also teach people how to prevent injuries. They perform their job under the supervision of physicians.
- Dental Hygienist, Salary: $67,340. Dental hygienists provide preventative dental care and teach patients how to maintain good oral health. They usually work under dentists' supervision.
- Lab Technician, Salary: $36,030. Lab technicians perform laboratory tests and procedures. They work under the supervision of a laboratory technologist or a laboratory manager.
- Nuclear Medicine Technologist, Salary: $67,910. Nuclear medicine technologists prepare and administer radiopharmaceuticals, radioactive drugs, to patients in order to treat or diagnose diseases.
- Pharmacy Technician, Salary: $28,070. Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists with the preparation of prescription medications for customers.
Health Technology Companies
Health technology is a field that is growing rapidly, and some companies are making waves in the industry. The following is a list of some health technology companies and what they sell:
- ReWalk: This is a company that makes ReWalk skeletons. ReWalk is a battery-powered set of legs. Users strap it on and then use crutches to balance as they walk. It allows people who have been bound to wheelchairs to "walk" again. The ReWalk skeleton is retailing at $69,500.
- TotallyPregnant: This is a pregnancy app that allows users to have personal photo albums, informational videos, expert advice forums, baby gear shopping and a weekly pregnancy tracker. It is currently free.
- iCouch: This product uses videoconferencing to connect mental health professionals to patients. The entire interaction is online which means that mental health professionals can reach patients anywhere in the world. This is a development that might help in combating stigma in mental health.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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