Introduction
Continuous technological progress can be observed in various spheres of society – education, culture and, certainly, medicine. The emergence of innovative methods of diagnosis and treatment is a natural and logical result of the development of contemporary science. The introduction of technological novelties into the healthcare system allows significantly improving the entire mode of clinical institutions and simplifies the work of both senior and junior medical personnel. At the same time, the emergence of new equipment makes it possible to explain the funds that the state spends on the development of the medical industry. The use of technological advances in healthcare is an essential component of the modern social development. The orientation towards improving the quality of care demonstrates the authorities’ interest in ensuring that the population has access to the latest achievements.
Justification of the Topic Choice
The theme of technologies in public health services is chosen because almost all modern diagnostic and medical methods imply using certain novelties. For instance, the examinations of pregnant women, the identification of chronic diseases, rehabilitation after injuries, and other serious procedures involve the use of the latest scientific developments and innovative equipment. Everything that was considered supernova and unusual previously is perceived as a norm today. Sharma, Ayyaswamy, and Kishore (2015) cite the notion of digitizing health and note that technologies have significantly advanced over the past few decades. Sharma et al. (2015) note that “electronic medical records (EMR), telehealth services, and mobile technologies have not only led to the effective and efficient utilization of information by health professionals but also empowered the users” (p. 2). Accordingly, the opportunities given to medical providers have also increased.
At the same time, higher requirements are imposed on the quality of the work conducted in this sphere. Due to the introduction of innovative diagnostic and treatment tools, the population counts on highly effective care. The medical community solves rather complicated tasks because of the need to use all available resources rationally and effectively. Inconsistency with modern standards of patient care is fraught with sanctions for both the heads of structural units and clinical institutions. As Sharma et al. (2015) remark, stakeholders (authorities, sponsors, charitable foundations, and other organizations) invest funds in health development and want to see results. Therefore, the topic of technologies in medicine is important and interesting for discussion and can be viewed from the points of view of various participants in this field.
Current Relevance
The current relevance of the topic of technologies in healthcare is primarily due to the requirements imposed by patients in relation to the quality of the services provided by medical specialists. Modern trends and interests of the population largely determine the need to develop appropriate novelties. Gao, Li, and Luo (2015) give an example of portable medical equipment, in particular, bracelets recording such valuable data as heart rate, blood pressure, and other important information. According to the authors, “consumer’s decision to adopt healthcare wearable technology is affected by factors from technology, health, and privacy perspectives” (Gao et al., 2015, p. 1704). At the same time, patients are willing to pay money in order to have access to the most modern samples of technological innovations. An opportunity to receive comprehensive diagnostics and treatment with the help of high-tech equipment is the natural feature of the healthcare system, and the relevance of the theme under consideration is justified.
The representatives of the authorities are interested in ensuring that the population is satisfied with the quality of medical services, and relevant orders for the supply of modern devices are implemented. Nevertheless, sometimes, it is necessary to seek help from the local government in order to get money to buy a particular novelty. To do it, it is significant to describe to officials the dignity of a certain technology, its relevance in a specific field, and the benefits that its implementation may bring. In Miami where quite a few clinics and other medical facilities are located, this work is mandatory since the authorities cannot always control how much new equipment is supplied. To lobby the local government for funds to support the trend of introducing new technologies in the clinics of Miami, it is possible to collect a number of votes from different stakeholders. If the state legislators see such enthusiasm, they are likely to take measures to satisfy the needs claimed. Therefore, appeals to officials are a natural and logical step to update the technology base of a particular institution.
The heads of healthcare institutions, in turn, are also ready to develop the existing equipment base so that their controlled facilities could meet modern quality standards. Doctors and nursing staff, as a rule, accept new items of medical equipment willingly. Gao et al. (2015) note that the productivity of specialists’ work increases due to the simplification of the care process and the reduction of labor-intensive duties, which are compensated by technological novelties. Therefore, the relevance of innovations in healthcare is the topic that affects both patients and healthcare providers.
Integration into Clinical Practice
The integration of new technologies into modern clinical practice implies compliance with a number of mandatory conditions. In particular, the corresponding approval of government officials is necessary since most of the innovative equipment is purchased for budgetary funds. Also, specific diagnostic and treatment devices are meet the needs of a particular healthcare institution because high-tech devices tend to cost much, and the necessity for a particular device should be proved. According to Harris et al. (2015), the expertise of responsible authorities is carried out for the need to install specific equipment, and if approved, the existing technological base is updated. Consequently, much depends on different stakeholders who control implementation activities.
In order for the integration process to be successful in clinical practice, the participation of all stakeholders is desirable. Medical and nursing staff can notify senior management about the need to introduce specific modern devices. Those officials, in turn, apply to the representatives of the government who can help with the purchase and installation. As Harris et al. (2015) argue, “many decisions are made by local health services” (p. 579). Therefore, it is enough to justify the need for integration in order to receive certain technologies and use them for the intended purpose.
The Use in a Clinical Setting
Today, when particular attention is paid to the quality of medical care, the introduction of technological novelties in the treatment and care process is significant and important work. Depending on the availability of this or that technique, a healthcare institution can be respected or, on the contrary, have negative feedback from unsatisfied patients. The use of technological novelties in a clinical setting has certain implications not only for those who need help but also those who provide it.
Nursing staff can significantly improve their knowledge and skills in various fields, while having access to high-tech medical devices. A number of advantages appear, for example, junior medical personnel may save time by reducing the routine actions that medical devices can provide. Adaptation to work in conditions of access to modern technologies, as a rule, passes quickly. Furthermore, as Archibald and Barnard (2018) argue, “nursing as a profession needs to anticipate the impact of technology on care to move beyond a reactive approach to technological advances” (p. 2476). Therefore, improving the knowledge of nurses through access to quality equipment is a natural and expected process.
There are also certain advantages for the doctoral staff due to the introduction of technologies into the medical process. All high-precision and important procedures can be performed carefully since modern mechanisms usually do not allow mistakes, while the human factor sometimes causes errors. Despite the fact that the professionalism of doctors is their undeniable merit, many modern devices are capable of performing “the same tasks as humans but more precisely and efficiently” (Archibald & Barnard, 2018, p. 2479). At the same time, physicians can also save time and spend it effectively, trusting part of their work with medical mechanisms. Therefore, as practice shows, the introduction of technologies in a clinical setting has enough advantages in order to develop this movement and update the existing resource base.
Conclusion
The desire to equip public health institutions with modern technologies is the proof of the government’s interest in providing the population with the latest developments in a certain field. The relevance of this topic is confirmed by the fact that not only patients but also medical personnel are interested in updating available resources for providing comprehensive treatment and care. Implementation in clinical practice should be based on the need for a particular technique, and the use of appropriate instruments in medical settings has many advantages.
References
Archibald, M. M., & Barnard, A. (2018). Futurism in nursing: Technology, robotics and the fundamentals of care. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 27(11-12), 2473-2480. Web.
Gao, Y., Li, H., & Luo, Y. (2015). An empirical study of wearable technology acceptance in healthcare. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 115(9), 1704-1723. Web.
Harris, C., Garrubba, M., Allen, K., King, R., Kelly, C., Thiagarajan, M.,… Farjou, D. (2015). Development, implementation and evaluation of an evidence-based program for introduction of new health technologies and clinical practices in a local healthcare setting. BMC Health Services Research, 15(1), 575-590. Web.
Sharma, S., Ayyaswamy, J., & Kishore, J. (2015). Technology driven healthcare. Advanced Techniques in Biology & Medicine, 3(3), 1-4. Web.