| Week 4 | Medicine + Technology + Art | |
I find it fascinating that doctors who used instruments and technology were not considered a doctor in society until the 20th century because these methods were considered art (according to Victoria Vesna). Comparatively today, the word of a doctor alone would seem invalid if he or she was not use the technology that we have to support the diagnosis.
 |
| MRI Image of Labral Tear |
Unfortunately, I have had many injuries throughout my athletic career. After tearing my labrum in my right shoulder, MRI images were taken and these were further enhanced by injecting a colored die directly into the shoulder muscle in order to create a greater contrast in the image and to make it clear where the tear was. This technique draws deeply from its artistic roots as a rich change in color laid right on top of a dull image pops off the screen to show abnormalities in the muscle.
 |
| Meditation using Virtual Reality |
The piece of material that influenced me most this week was the TED talk about the connection between technology and pain. I find it very exciting that virtual reality is as effective as opioids in treating short term pain (according to Diane Gromala, and I look at the great potential associated with using less highly addictive pain killers in the treatment of diseases. There is controversy today regarding the use of pain killers in sports because of their addictive qualities according to Dennis Romboy. If technology could be used instead of physical medications to treat pain, then athletes would not have to worry about the harmful side effects of treatment.
Works Cited
Goergen, Stacy, Prof, and Maurice Molan, Dr. "Gadolinium Contrast Medium (MRI Contrast Agents)." Gadolinium Contrast Medium (MRI Contrast Agents). N.p., 1 May 2009. Web. 25 Apr. 2015. <http://www.insideradiology.com.au/pages/view.php?T_id=38#.VTv8FVz4ulI>.
Khosla, Vinod. "Technology Will Replace 80% of What Doctors do." Fortune Technology Will Replace 80 of What Doctorsdo Comments. N.p., 04 Dec. 2012. Web. 25 Apr. 2015. <http://fortune.com/2012/12/04/technology-will-replace-80-of-what-doctors-do/>.
Romboy, Dennis. "Painkillers, the Dark Side of Sports." Desert News. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2015. <http://www.deseretnews.com/article/695222184/Painkillers-the-dark-side-of-sports.html?pg=all>.
Tabral Tear. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2015. <sikerimaging.com>.
"Virtual Reality." Transforming Pain. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2015. <http://www.confrontingpain.com/projects/vr/>.
Hi Zach, recently I read of a study conducted by the University of Colorado, they found that of the estimated 7.8 million participants in high school sports around the country, and competitive football had the highest injury rates. It is true that athletes are very prone to series injuries such as brain concussions and spinal injuries that can have devastated effects in their lives and even end their athletic career. The advancement of medical technologies can definitely help prevent serious injuries if they are well promoted. However, many athletes who suffered from injuries unfortunately grow a dependence of pain killers to ease their pain, having read the news about those cases are always discouraging. But you are right that the TED talk really brings up a good idea that can help athletes who suffered from chronic pain, to help them have a healthier way to treat their chronic illness instead of a reliance of drugs.
ReplyDelete