ICT in Medicine

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ICT in Medicine
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ICT in Medicine
ICT
MEDICINE
TELEMEDICINE
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Patient Records

• One obvious use of ICT in medicine is the
  introduction of databases to store patient
  records

• Currently moves are being made to transfer all
  paper records over to a 12bn NHS database
• Central storage of records
• All the benefits of databases!

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Patient Records
?
Faster access to patient records
Transfer of patient data will be quicker e.g.
between GPs and hospitals
Less storage space needed
CENTRALISED DATABASE
Data analysis tools e.g. identify patients at risk
Multimedia capabilities e.g. scans, x-rays etc.
all available in one record
Doctors writing easier to read!!!
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Patient Records
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Security Concerns(insufficient safeguards)
Time/cost of inputting large volumes of data from
old paper based records
Over-reliance on ICT
CENTRALISED DATABASE
Doctor training it actually takes longer for
some doctors to complete electronic records
Who sees the information? Some concern over the
content of electronic records
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Internet

• The Internet is awash with a wide variety of
  medical tools for both professional and
  layperson

• Online diagnosis expert systems
• Medical dictionaries
• Alternative treatments
• Support groups for every imaginable illness

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Internet Services
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Patients can make informed choices e.g.
alternative treatments
24/7 access to information
Reduces the burden on hospitals
Reduces the burden on GPs
ONLINE SERVICES
Support for patients from other sufferers
Cheaper prescription drugs Note this is usually
illegal
Access to research for professionals
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Internet Services
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Reliability of websites? Inaccurate self-diagnosis
Sale of dangerous so-called prescription drugs
ONLINE SERVICES
Digital Divide who has access to Internet
services?
Temptation for Govt. to replace core services
with cheaper web-based provision
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Medical Equipment

• Lots of equipment used in the field of medicine
  is dependant on ICT to function effectively

• Scanners (e.g. CAT, MRI etc.) use computers to
  process data
• Microprocessors are used in a variety of medical
  devices
• Computer guided lasers in surgery

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Medical Research

• ICT has changed the way in which medical research
  is conducted

• Modelling the effects of new drugs reduces the
  need for vivisection and clinical trials
• ICT is used to conduct clinical trials
• Collaboration between international teams e.g.
  Human Genome Project

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Equipment/Research
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Better quality of life for the disabled
New types of surgery possible
Collaboration between healthcare professionals
Reduces waiting times in hospitals
EQUIPMENT/RESEARCH
Management of clinical trials online
Cost reductions estimated saving of 200
million and two years on the cost of developing
new drugs
Miniaturisation of medical devices
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Equipment/Research
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Hardware/software can have flaws and break down
Cost the capital cost of an MRI scanner is over
1million!!!
EQUIPMENT/RESEARCH
Over-reliance on ICT
Training doctors and surgeons need to retrain
to use new equipment
Can never replace clinical trials
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Expert Systems

• A computer system that simulates the knowledge
  and expertise of a human specialist e.g. a doctor

• Some people prefer the anonymity of a robot
  doctor
• Can be kept up-to-date and continually added to -
  acquiring knowledge faster than any human
• Some people prefer a human touch

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Communications 1

• Advances in telecommunications are
  revolutionising the delivery of out-patient
  healthcare

• Remote diagnosis can be used to diagnose and
  treat patients remotely
• Self monitoring patients can monitor/treat
  their own conditions at home without the need for
  a visit to hospital

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Communications 2

• Advances in telecommunications are
  revolutionising the way health care professionals
  are able to share information

• Wireless transmission provides a vital link
  between paramedics and hospitals
• Videoconferencing can be used by professionals to
  share expertise with colleagues all over the
  world

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Summary/Revision

• Use the your textbook or the Internet to make
  your OWN notes on developments in ICT in Medicine
• Your notes should cover the benefits/drawbacks of
  increased use of ICT in Medicine