Advances in technology spur innovations in diagnosis, treatment and education
May 27, 2015
IN THE NEWS: Technological advances in medicine continue to expand the scope of diagnostic and treatment capabilities, and are transforming medical education. UCI Health physicians Dr. Christian Fox, professor of emergency medicine and assistant dean of student affairs; Dr. Frank Hsu, chair and clinical professor, department of neurological surgery; and Dr. Warren Wiechmann, assistant clinical professor of emergency medicine and associate dean of instructional technologies, shared how technology is shaping their field of practice at a recent panel discussion at the Newport Beach Central Library.
Compact ultrasound devices provide physicians a point-of-care tool that provides “much better resolution” and greater diagnostic accuracy than a physical exam on “everything from eyeballs to ankles and all organs in between,” according to Dr. Fox.
Improvements in imaging and minimally invasive surgical techniques are making neurosurgery safer and more efficient, said Dr. Hsu. Before performing a procedure, images of the brain provide a roadmap “like a GPS system” for the surgeon, and endovascular and endoscopic techniques, rather than opening up the patient’s skull, are used to treat aneurysms and remove tumors.
Dr. Wiechmann described the important role of technology in the classroom at UC Irvine School of Medicine. From building smartphone apps that gather medical data to creating videos that offer tips for avoiding injuries around the holidays, students are leveraging technology in ways that help to improve patient care and strengthen the doctor-patient relationship.
Read the Orange County Register article here >>
