Medical imaging and assistive technologies are two major trends seen in the biomedical industry. The trends have been evolving and have a significant influence on the future of healthcare services. The history of medical imaging through radiography specifically can be traced back to 1895 when x-rays were discovered by a German professor, Wilhelm Rontgen. Nuclear medicine is another milestone in the industry that became possible in 1950. Other inventions include ultrasound, computed tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Radiotherapy. The technologies have eased the way human body parts can be examined, and the trend looks to shape the industry in the future. On the other, assistive technology is a trend that has evolved over the years. Assistive technology includes rehabilitative devices used by people with disabilities to help them in performing their daily activities. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 which required television operators to address the people with disabilities needs led to the first known form of the technology (Levi, 1996). It led to the adoption of captioning of programs and relay services for the deaf and those with hearing problems. Other legislative systems such as 1973 Rehabilitation Act, 1988 Assistive Technology and 1990 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act all pushed for development of various assistive technology devices.
These trends have had an impact on the current delivery of health care in many ways. Assistive technology has enabled the aging population and people living with disabilities be more independent in their lives. It has also reduced the pressure on nurses required to attend the aging population. Home health care has gained more popularity with the two groups, and it had grown to a market value of $29 billion by last year. The creation of in-home devices has reduced the need to visit health care centers because most patients can use the devices to help themselves. The move has led to a reduction of congestion in health care centers hence increasing their efficiency. Medical imaging currently enables early detection of diseases and thus proper treatments. For diseases such as cancer that can be treated in some early stages, medical imaging is beneficial, and people who suspect they might be suffering from the disease can confirm and treat it early (Doi, 2007). The technology also saves money in that when a disease is diagnosed early, many inpatient procedures are reduced and a short time is spent in the hospital hence less money.
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Apart from the impact on the delivery of healthcare, these trends also influence the current and future nursing practice. Assistive technology is set to reduce the pressure on nurses by causing an increase in-home care services. It is estimated that by 2020, there will be an estimate of 50 million Americans above 65 years. The number deserves the services of nurses in their daily activities which may pose a working pressure on them. Even for the patients in hospitals, the technology eases the work of nurses in that many previous manually done chores can be done using assistive devices. Constant changes in technology in medical imaging has made nurses always to be updated with new technologies. Most of the new gadgets are operated by nurses, and thus they are supposed to learn quickly. The new technologies make most nurses to be specialists in their work making them get higher status in their departments.
References
Doi, K. (2007). Computer-aided diagnosis in medical imaging: historical review, current status, and future potential. Computerized medical imaging and graphics, 31(4-5), 198-211
Levi, L. (1996). Not with a bang but a whimper: Broadcast license renewal and the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Conn. L. Rev., 29, 243
