Introduction
Healthcare professionals and practitioners must be aware of emerging theories, concepts, and technologies that can be adopted to maximize patient outcomes. Most of these developments have the potential to transform care delivery and ensure the changing needs of underserved populations are met. Advancements in modern technology have led to the production of powerful machines and devices that make it easier for practitioners to diagnose various medical conditions and deliver high-quality care. This paper examines the relevance of technology in health care and how it can be applied in clinical settings to transform patients’ experiences. The best lobbying approaches for funds to support the topic are also presented.
Reasons for Choosing the Topic
Contemporary medical models have been focusing on the best practices to ensure individuals receive high-quality care. Scholars and theorists in healthcare have put much emphasis on medication and treatment processes (Niezen, Eslambolchilar, & Thimbleby, 2016). This fact explains why the issue of technology has been left in the hands of engineers and information technology (IT) specialists. These professionals have been using their skills to produce appropriate technologies that are applicable in different medical settings. Consequently, the positive implications of technology in health care are yet to be appreciated by stakeholders in the sector.
Although the topic is diverse, minimum efforts have been done to ensure medical technology becomes synonymous with healthcare practice (Wang & Alexander, 2015). Despite the gaps facing the utilization of modern innovations in medical care, it is agreeable that the healthcare sector can benefit significantly from this topic. Past studies show conclusively that innumerable lives have been saved due to the continued use of modern healthcare technologies. Additionally, medical technology has led to improved quality of life in different parts of the world.
Usaquen-Perilla, Cano-Munoz, Troncoso, Bonilla, and de Almeida (2017) indicate that machine learning, meaningful use, and telemedicine are powerful terms and processes that revolve around this topic. Institutions and clinics that embrace the use of healthcare technology will meet the changing needs of different patients and support their aims in life. This topic has, therefore, been selected because it presents a wide range of promises and opportunities to both medical practitioners and patients. Medical facilities that analyze and embrace this idea will develop superior care delivery models, deliver evidence-based and timely care, diagnose conditions, and improve the outcomes of their patients (Niezen et al., 2016). The topic has also been identified in order to understand the challenges associated with health care technology and recommendations that can be considered to maximize its benefits.
Relevance
Experts in health care practice have shown conclusively that technology is the biggest force that will transform the nature and future of the sector (Niezen et al., 2016). Modern innovations have led to better practices and approaches that can meet the changing health needs of many patients. For instance, healthcare institutions are using radiotherapy and magnetic resonance imaging technologies to diagnose and treat various conditions. Scanning procedures have been observed to empower physicians to identify various health conditions and problems in the human body.
Medical practitioners have been equipped with various technological devices that can be used to support their care delivery models. For instance, nurses are currently using social network apps to share their experiences and guide every patient. The use of technology for patient education is a powerful practice that is reshaping the nature of patient care (Usaquen-Perilla et al., 2017). Researchers are also identifying new techniques that can be considered to address the changing needs of patients.
Shaw, Bonnet, Modarai, George, and Shahsahebi (2015) argue that healthcare technology has helped physicians share ideas and images using the power of telemedicine. The strategy is observed to benefit both the practitioner and the targeted patient. Hospitals that have implemented various systems for drug prescription and data management have been able to offer timely services to their patients. Decision support systems (DSS) have also become popular in different units.
This analysis indicates clearly that institutions that embrace the use of technology in their units will reduce health care costs, increase the speed of care delivery, and support every patient’s needs. Additionally, this topic is relevant because a detailed study of the implementation of technology can reveal emerging ethical issues such as loss of patient autonomy and confidentiality (Usaquen-Perilla et al., 2017). This knowledge can result in new studies aimed at addressing these concerns.
Integrating into Clinical Practice
As indicated earlier, different technological innovations and devices have found their way in the healthcare sector. For instance, modern technology has led to the production of robotic surgeries that can operate patients and remove tumors (Shaw et al., 2015). The innovative idea ensures that minimally-invasive surgical procedures are done successfully. The field is making it easier for clinicians, nurses, and physicians to monitor their patients and improve the speed of recovery.
Scanning devices have become more comfortable than ever before while at the same time delivering timely results. The process allows patients to recover successfully and lead quality lives (Shaw et al., 2015). The use of different technologies is making it easier for physicians to examine diseases and produce appropriate antibodies to treat them. Modern technologies have resulted in superior devices that have made momentous impacts in the sector, thereby improving the health and lifestyles of more people across the globe.
Nurses are using different technological applications to improve care delivery. For example, the concept of patient education has benefited from modern innovations. Handheld devices such as smartphones and tablets are being used to exchange medical information with patients and their respective family members. Individuals receive timely updates that guide them to take medications efficiently (Usaquen-Perilla et al., 2017). This practice has minimized the number of sentinel events recorded in different nursing units. Many patients have also benefited from the acquired ideas by developing efficient self-care models.
Many medical units have embraced the use of modern technology to collect and store patient data. The gathered information is then be analyzed to develop evidence-based care delivery models for every individual. Modern technologies have made it easier for physicians to share data and improve their patients’ health outcomes (Shaw et al., 2015). Social media networks are also being used to empower individuals and make it easier for them to focus on their health aims. Decision-making processes have become possible and faster due to the power of modern innovations. This discussion, therefore, shows conclusively that technology is something that cannot be ignored in the field of health care.
Lobbying for Funds
The benefits of technology in health care explain why lobbying is needed to ensure the local government is on the frontline to support the topic. The success of the strategy will offer adequate funds to make sure medical facilities acquire advanced technologies to support the health outcomes of their patients. Several approaches will be considered to support the lobbying process (Baumgartner, Berry, Hojnacki, Kimball, & Leech, 2014). The ultimate goal is to encourage politicians and policymakers in the local government to support the agenda.
The first strategy will entail the use of a powerful campaign that can encourage lawmakers to come up with legislation to support medical institutions. The move will ensure such facilities receive adequate funds that can revolutionize the experiences of their patients. The campaigns will be used to educate stakeholders about the relevance of modern innovations and technologies in the health care industry (Baumgartner et al., 2014). This knowledge is what will encourage them to support the agenda.
The above strategy will be supported using memos addressed to several politicians. These documents will pinpoint the unique benefits of modern technologies such as improved patient outcomes. If powerful ideas and devices are utilized in different healthcare settings, positive gains will be realized and eventually transform the medical sector (Baumgartner et al., 2014). This move will encourage policymakers to examine the issue from the right perspective.
Personal relationships with different stakeholders and legislators will be established to support the agenda. This is a powerful strategy that can deliver positive results since immediate feedback will be obtained from the targeted politicians. The approach will empower them to understand the future of technology in different medical settings (Wang & Alexander, 2015). The ultimate goal will be to educate and inform more policymakers in the local government about the topic and encourage them to support it using adequate finances.
The success of the lobbying process will deliver enough funds that can be used to acquire new technological devices for imaging and diagnosing various medical conditions (Baumgartner et al., 2014). Practitioners will also use such technologies to improve their nursing philosophies and meet the changing needs of their patients. The move will present numerous gains and transform the healthcare sector.
Using the Information in Clinical Setting
The information in this discussion can be used in clinical settings to transform the health outcomes of the greatest number of patients. Nurses, caregivers, nurse aides, and physicians working in different clinical settings can identify different technologies and apply them effectively (Usaquen-Perilla et al., 2017). The discussion guides them to monitor the changes in the sector to identify new innovations and use them accordingly to ensure high-quality services are available to more patients.
Institutional leaders should be ready to acquire new technologies and equipment that can be utilized in different units. The approach will improve the care delivery models utilized in such institutions. Technological applications can be used to minimize costs and reduce medication errors (Wang & Alexander, 2015). The topic presents consequential insights for establishing positive relationships between nurses and patients. Stakeholders should focus on the relevance of the information in an attempt to develop superior models for maximizing patients’ health outcomes.
Conclusion
Healthcare is one of the fields that has benefited from the power of modern technology. The application of different devices has empowered physicians and practitioners to deliver timely and high-quality medical support to their patients. With efficient lobbying techniques, local governments and policymakers can be informed about the relevance of the selected topic and present adequate funds to support the agenda. The move will ensure modern technologies continue to revolutionize the sector.
References
Baumgartner, F. R., Berry, J. M., Hojnacki, M., Kimball, D. C., & Leech, B. L. (2014). Money, priorities, and stalemate: How lobbying affects public policy. Election Law Journal, 13(1), 1-17. Web.
Niezen, G., Eslambolchilar, P., & Thimbleby, H. (2016). Open-source hardware for medical devices. BMJ Innovation, 2(2), 78–83. Web.
Shaw, R. J., Bonnet, J. P., Modarai, F., George, A., & Shahsahebi, M. (2015). Mobile health technology for personalized primary care medicine. The American Journal of Medicine, 128(6), 555-557. Web.
Usaquen-Perilla, S. P., Cano-Munoz, A., Troncoso, D. M., Bonilla, N., & de Almeida, R. T. (2017). The use of the health technology assessment for technology acquisition in hospitals. Revista Ingenieria Biomedica, 11(21), 27-34. Web.
Wang, L., & Alexander, C. A. (2015). Big data in medical applications and health care. Current Research in Medicine, 6(1), 1-8. Web.