Although medical technology brings numerous benefits, what have been some of the main challenges posed by the growing use of medical technology in the United States?
In recent years, many industries just like the healthcare industry have been experiencing numerous changes and advancements due to the technological inventions that have recently been on the rise. The healthcare industry can be seen as one of the many industries that have gained much in terms of development from technology growth. Despite proving to be beneficial, medical technology has similarly raised numerous challenges in the world’s healthcare systems (Rosenblum, 2016). Medical technology continues to raise patient's expectations especially on what may or may not be possible regarding their health. Health care providers are under constant pressure to adopt the latest and best technology that the industry has to offer to meet their client’s demands. Physicians and scientific researchers have been able to see that technology plays a huge role in influencing patients' healthcare-seeking behavior hence increasing the demand and usage of medical technology.
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The other challenge associated with medical technology includes an increased area of specialization which hinders public health as well as primary care and preventive medicine. Technology is increasingly influencing the organization and financing of medical services. The transformation has made it possible for specialized and complex medical services that were only allowed in a hospital setting to be offered in community and outpatient settings which hinders quality healthcare delivery (Shi & Singh, 2013). Another challenge brought about by medical technology in the US is rapid changes and an increase in healthcare costs. High cost in the healthcare industry is believed to have been as a result of medical technology. Medical technology employs expensive and complex technological devices which require advanced training which is also costly (Shi & Singh, 2013). However, despite some medical technology reducing cost, the whole aspect usage of technology raises concerns of increased cost especially to consumers as well as the provider.
Next, how do American cultural beliefs and values influence the use of medical technology?
Americans see medical technology as the solution to their demand for better and improved medical services that they have been seeking all along. Americans have always valued their health status and to them, health serves as the major priority that should be taken seriously. They always associate a healthy nation with economic and development growth which will not only benefit the involved societies but the entire country as well. Therefore, they view and define medical technology as the practical application of technology and scientific knowledge in a medical setting to improve the health of the people and at the same time provide efficient and reliable healthcare services (Shi & Singh, 2013). For instance, some of the medical disciplines that have benefited from medical technology include physics, chemistry, pharmacology, and engineering. In regards to chemistry, people's health and surgery have been made easy and possible through the use of anesthetics (Callahan, 2019). The department of physics and engineering has also benefited from medical technology through the introduction of radiology and cardiology which have all made the provision of healthcare services not only possible but efficient.
The nature of healthcare delivery and medical technology in the United States has been highly influenced by American beliefs and values. It has been observed that Americans are highly dependent on science and technology when finding cures and quality healthcare that suits their needs and desires. Additionally, they associate advanced medical technology and costly services with high-quality healthcare services (Shi & Singh, 2013). On the other hand, tests, as well as improved and updated medical equipment, are viewed as the primary necessities of providing quality healthcare services that meet the demand of the Americans. Therefore, medical technology has been influenced by the increasing demands of Americans with their numerous requests for advanced technology irrespective of the high cost (Shi & Singh, 2013). Their health comes first and thus cost is not an issue to them hence requiring advanced medical technology that will enhance medical services.
References
Callahan, D. (2019). Health Care Costs and Medical Technology. The Hastings Center . https://www.thehastingscenter.org/briefingbook/health-care-costs-and-medical-technology/
Rosenblum, C. (2016). The effects of medical technology on the U.S Economy. Grinnell College . https://lewiscar.sites.grinnell.edu/HistoryofMedicine/uncategorized/the-effects-of-medical-technology-on-the-u-s-economy/
Shi, L. & Singh, D. (2013). Essentials of the US health care system (5 th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
