BioBusiness Revolution: Healthcare and Biomedical Sciences
For this week's lesson, we dealt with the revolution of biobusiness in terms of healthcare and biomedical sciences.
Lesson was kicked start with a really interesting video, giving us an insight of Microsoft's prediction of the future of healthcare and the kinds of technology involved. From the video, we can see that many of the equipment used by patients, nurses and doctors alike are all pretty much using touch-screen technology. What was exciting was how information from one device could be so easily transmitted to another device. For example, it was interesting how a medicine bottle could serve as a reminder to patients to take their medications through an interactive table top, and it was cool to see how directional arrows could be projected onto the floorboard to guide you to your destination. Whatever that Microsoft has envisioned is a really useful concept because there is definitely potential for healthcare to improve and advance in such a way, which will really benefit not only patients, but also doctors. Subsequently, Prof Shahi asked the class if we think that whatever we saw in the video was achievable by the year 2020? Personally, I felt that with the current technology that we have at the moment, and the speed and direction in which our technologies are continuing to evolve, the types of technology we have witnessed in the video is definitely possible. However, what I question is humanity's response, should such a change take place. As we have established from earlier lessons, it is common for us humans to resist change, and instead fall back on what we are familiar with. This is true even if current circumstances are unfavourable because we are all super cautious of the risks involved. Therefore, I feel that 9 years is insufficient to totally change the healthcare system to mimic that in the video. However I do believe that such systems can be applied in small proportions at places where people tend to be more open-minded and receptive. If that works, there will be a domino effect as others see the advantages and it will then spur the movement on.
That said, there was a quote that was shared in class.
There are only two ways to live your life.
One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as though everything is a miracle.
- Albert Einstein
I really like this quote because it shows us the bipolar attitudes of people in this world. It is true that our successes very much boils down to our attitude towards life. More often than not, those who succeed are the ones who are more open-minded and is receptive to opportunities and possibilities. For those who live as though nothing is a miracle, they tend to view life pessimistically and will not have the confidence to try and accept something new.
A society grows great when old men plant trees whose
shade they know they shall never sit in.
- Greek Proverb
In addition to have an optimistic view of life, successful people also must not be selfish. Most of the time, we are unwilling to play our part because we think that we will not stand to gain from it. Yet, by harbouring such a thought, we are unknowingly being ungrateful to our predecessors, because without them, we will definitely not be where we are today. We can owe many of the world's development to self-sacrificing people who were willing to put in their efforts to create a better world for future generations. Similarly, this can be applied as the world strives to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Take for example the goal on healthcare, to improve sanitation in less developed countries. Most of the time, people in developed countries do not even think of the proper sanitation that we receive as a privilege. We take these things for granted. I really wonder how many of us are actually aware of fortunate we are, to be 'geographically' born into a more well-to-do environment. Therefore, it is necessary that we are selfless in extending our resources to people who are struggling to live life. Having proper sanitation is a really important factor because it can prevent people from contracting non-chronic diseases, which is still a major cause of death for people in less developed countries today. It is sad to learn of their plight because this one factor, of having proper sanitation, or even just clean drinking water, can transform so many lives.
On the other hand, it was fascinating to see how far biobusinesses have come, and the impacts it has had on mankind. An example raised by Prof that caught my attention was the use of growth hormones. He told us about how Lionel Messi had previously undergone growth hormone procedures to help him grow. It is compelling because we all know that Messi is a world class footballer and it left me wondering if he would be where he is now, had it not been for the advancements in biobusiness and the discovery of such growth hormone procedures. In this case, the revolution of biobusiness has definitely helped to change someone's life.
With reference to the two videos from 'reading' 7, two students talk about the emergence and innovations in disease management. While the videos are somewhat similar to the one shown at the start of the lesson, I found the technologies used in this video to be much more practical and feasible. It is important that we focus on disease management nowadays, because seriously, won't be rather be safe than sorry? It is common for people to think that it is unnecessary money spent at the doctor's when there is no major problems with their bodies. With that, we need to make people realise that prevention is better than cure, and it never pleasant to have to end up at A&E at the nearby hospital because of a health issue that could have been prevented. Therefore, there has been an increasing emphasis being placed of disease management. This clip stresses how that in America, there is a crisis because there is far too little doctors to meet the demands of the patients as there in insufficient manpower and this results in displeasure among patients. With the world experiencing an aging population, it is vital that something is done. In this case, management technology is implemented to solve the problem. I like what I see from the clip, because I find the system very promising. Doctors are able to interact with patients on a regular basis, through electronic devices, and there are special equipments which help patients to monitor their own health condition, and at the same time, keep their doctors updated about their well-beings. In this way, patients receive adequate support from their nurses and doctors. I find this really important because most of the time, patients suffering from diseases are left to feel as though they are suffering by themselves. With the new system in place, they will feel less lonely and less neglected as there is regular interaction.
Lesson Rating: 8/10
I like how we are now placing more focus on specific topics and how we can thus hold more in depth discussions about the issues involved.
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