Globalization is the phenomenon describing tight relationships between global cultures and economies. It increases the interdependence of the countries by promoting reduced tariffs, an expanded job market, and a competitive environment. As the technologies, information, and development of science become available for everyone, globalization speed increases rapidly. Its technology diffusion components change the healthcare system, improving people’s lives and providing more nations with the most effective medical assets.
Globalization Components and Medicine
The globalization components ensure that world leaders and health organizations cooperate to promote health access and safety. They include the international movement of goods and labor, foreign investment, and the dissemination of knowledge. Its primary component, the exchange of technologies, enhances the effectiveness of medical assets diffused into the global market. Therefore, globalization’s positive effect is justified by the quick delivery of medical equipment to countries that lack such supplies. For example, Germany, America, and China are the leaders in diagnostic equipment, producing breathing machines and aid, while India is better at manufacturing surgical instruments (Tajuddin, 2019). However, these countries provide their medical devices to the developing nations, thus, ensuring that access to safe healthcare equalizes globally. Hence, the diffusion of technologies facilitates the balance between all countries’ medical provisions, addressing more patients’ needs.
Although globalization is advantageous as it delivers more medical assets to the nations, it might also threaten some governments as it penetrates the countries’ borders and impacts the general welfare. Its component, recognized as the exchange of technologies, sometimes results in low-quality domestic products (Tajuddin, 2019). As countries rely heavily on foreign production, they neglect domestic assets, which harms their people’s health and economic conditions. If a country does not produce its technologies and imports them from abroad, it forces patients to satisfy their medical needs for higher prices. Therefore, the diffusion of technologies might harm economies and patients who cannot afford expensive treatments.
Research on Technology
Since rapid technology development and fusion is an essential components of globalization’s effect on healthcare, over the last 20 years, many technological advancements have improved people’s quality of life. These technologies reshape the practice of medicine and ease healthcare professionals’ work by providing effective diagnosing and treatment methods. Moreover, they cover more areas due to globalization and effective export-import regulations. Continuum (2018) lists the medical advancements of the last two decades:
- Discovery of genes that make cancer metastasize
- A DNA test that predicts the likelihood of drug-based side effects
- The Super Beat training stimulator for aid in successful cardiac surgeries
- TREAT-B test to diagnose hepatitis B
- Transplantation of artificial ovaries
- Changing brain chemicals in drug addicts
- Autism & Beyond application to assess child’s condition
- Using E.coli for visual monitoring
- Drugs treating hearing loss
- Telemedicine
- Injection for migraine headaches
- Fast-acting influenza pill
- Health wearables synchronized with a person’s phone
- 3D printers creating implants and joints
- Virtual reality to treat psychological illnesses, autism, and dementia
- Artificial intelligence for quick and accurate diagnosis
- Electronic health records
- Pills eliminating type-1 diabetes injections
- Neurotechnology in brain imaging and stimulating brain activity
- Artificial intelligence chatbot to practice cognitive behavior therapy
Conclusion
To conclude, as globalization increases interdependence between the world’s developing countries and market leaders, it significantly impacts the technology sector. When transnational borders are no longer an obstacle to transporting more medical assets, people worldwide have more chances to avoid diseases. However, it also changes domestic manufacturing power, increasing the reliance on imports. Nevertheless, countries adapting to such shifts by ensuring more benefits to the world without harming their production become the leaders.
References
Continuum. (2018). Top 20 technology advancements in 2018. CareCloud. Web.
Tajuddin, F. N. (2019). Globalization of health: Positive or Negative? European Journal of Social Science, 6(1). 57–61. Web.