Advanced Medical Technology Is Everywhere

For decades science fiction has depicted medical robots as part of some far distant future.  Something for our great-great grandchildren.  That future is actually the present.  Robotic surgeries are performed every day, supported by other advanced technologies that make medical diagnosis more precise and the treatment of illnesses and injuries more successful.

In a recent ranking of the top hospitals in the world for high tech medical treatment a California hospital finished in first place — and the US took slightly more than half of the top 30 spots.  However, 60% of the hospitals in the top 10 are outside the US. There has been a rise in medical tourism, people traveling to other countries for surgeries, treatments, and even diagnosis, over the past decade.  While many experts explain this by pointing to the rising cost of health care in the US and other developed countries, the spread of advanced medical technology is also a factor.  Patients are able to get advanced treatments at more affordable prices, and in some cases better treatment than they could afford at home.

Futuristic Technology

Top hospitals are going paperless.  Electronic record systems provide a range of benefits to patients as well as doctors, which is why modern hospitals are being built around these systems while older hospitals are struggling to install and implement them.  Imagine every test result, medicine prescribed, and doctor notation in one file that is easy to search, navigate, and read (those jokes about doctors’ handwriting are based in fact). That record can be pulled up at any terminal throughout a clinic or hospital and updated or amended as needed. Top systems streamline this process and reduce medical errors in treatment, prescriptions, and diagnosis.

Digital imaging has been around for a few decades, but new systems are integrating these machines.  Several hospitals opened in the past few years have included what is known as a “digital diagnostic hub” which features not just CT, MRI, and PET scan, but the ability to conduct digital endoscopy and mammography.  The diagnostic equipment is integrated with the surgical suites so that instant, high definition scans are available prior to surgery.

High-tech surgery started with lasers and laproscopy but has advanced to computer surgery that include robotic scalpels and arms.  Gamma Knife surgery is a cutting edge technology and the most-advanced equipment can be found not in the US, but in England.  Computer-aided surgery includes the  integration of scans to navigate procedures, with the software telling the doctor exactly where to go, as well as the use of robotic “surgeons” to conduct everything from joint replacement to microscopic heart and brain surgery.

Some other advanced medical equipment and treatments now available in so-called “third world” countries include digital subtraction angiography equipment, linear accelerator machines, shockwave lithotripters, 3D C-arm, molecular-targeting therapy, and bloodless 5th digital spinal operations.

HI-Tech Hospitals

Western countries like the US, Canada, Germany and the UK have many high tech hospitals, but other countries are quickly catching up. China, Japan, Singapore, India, Thailand, Turkey, South Korea, and even Lebanon have invested in providing cutting edge care to their own citizens and to medical tourists coming from the West.

Here’s a list of some of the foreign hospitals that offer high tech services:

  • Thailand — Ramkhamhaeng Hospital, Wattanosoth Cancer Hospital and Bumrungrad International Hospital, all in Bangkok
  • India — Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurgaon
  • Lebanon — Clemenceau Medical Center in Beirut
  • Singapore — Gleneagles Medical Center in Tanglin
  • South Korea — Wooridul Spine Hospital in Seoul
  • Turkey — Andolu Medical Center in Kocaeli

Many of these hospitals are part of larger networks and some are affiliated with American medical schools and hospital groups.  When researching foreign medical treatment using sites like www.surgeonabroad.com, look for names like Fortis Healthcare (India & Asia), Asklepios (Europe), and the Bangkok Hospital Group (Thailand) to find the top medical technology and high quality care.

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Where Does Money For Medical Research Come From?

Have you ever wondered where all that money for medical research comes from? Maybe you had a loved one who suffered from a serious disease, and you want to know how to get more money into your cause. Or perhaps you are just curious because you hear on the news about all sorts of medical research, but you never know how it is funded. In this post, you’ll learn about some of the sources of money for medical research.

The Many Sources Of Medical Research Funds

One of the largest sources of money for medical research is the United States government. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the single largest source of money for medical research in the whole world. Individuals, charities, and businesses can search for grants and contracts with the NIH, allowing significant amounts of research to happen that can shape the future of humanity by finding cures to serious diseases that have harmed so many, such as cancer.

That being said, private industry has a large role to play in funding medical research. Specifically, biotech companies invested over $1.3 billion in research in the year 2012. Biotech companies will frequently do experimental research, because if they uncover the next wonder drug, they could become worth billions of dollars. They may get rich, but they get rich because they help cure needed ailments.

Finally, charities and other philanthropic organizations bring a lot of money into the medical research world. Whenever you see those pink ribbons, you can bet that someone was raising money for breast cancer research. Charities and nonprofits raise a substantial amount of money for medical research, but it’s not all rich people giving or organizations investing profits from their mutual funds. In fact, a sizable percentage of giving is done by individuals who donate what they can to organizations that then fund research for breast cancer, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, or any number of other illnesses.

Medical research plays an important role in our society. The medical research done today will lead to the cures of major illness tomorrow. By virtue of the funding of the U.S. federal government (and therefore tax payers), private companies such as biotech companies, and charities, billions of dollars go towards medical research every year. If there is a cause near and dear to your heart, then don’t think twice about donating to medical research organizations. Your donation could be a part of the next major cure that moves humanity forward.

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Important Medical Breakthroughs of 2013

human brain2013 was a year of great strides in the medical field. A lot of ground was covered in terms of research and there were quite a few important medical breakthroughs that are worth discussing. Please read on for a look at five important medical breakthroughs of 2013.

New Genes Linked to Alzheimer’s Disease

Over a dozen new genes were linked to Alzheimer’s Disease, giving scientists and researchers more leads to go on when researching cures and treatment methods. By having more genes to research, scientists believe they are closer to finding a cure.

Only One Dose of the HPV Vaccination is Needed

When the HPV vaccination was first released, it was recommended that women receive three separate doses of the vaccination. Now doctors are suggesting that one dose may be all that is required. One dose of the HPV vaccination Gardasil is proving to be effective at stemming the risks of HPV.

A Newborn is Functionally Cured of HIV

Doctors have done what was thought to be impossible. They functionally cured a newborn that was diagnosed with HIV. The baby showed signs of the infection shortly after birth and doctors gave the child a triple dose of anti-HIV injections instead of just one. After two years, the child was functionally cured of the virus. This is another example of how early detection can help save lives.

Advanced Pregnancy Tests Tell You How Pregnant You Are

In 2013, a new pregnancy test was released on the market that not only tells women whether they are pregnant or not, but how far along they are in the pregnancy. This test measures the HcG levels in urine and determines the pregnancy age by how high the levels of HcG are. While bloodwork and an ultrasound are more definitive science, this is certainly an exciting new addition to pharmacy shelves.

Advancements in Detecting Parkinson’s Disease Early

Similar to other serious conditions such as cancer, early detection is proving to be key in Parkinson’s Disease patients. Scientists and researchers have gotten closer to determining what the early symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease are, and they believe that one of the symptoms include a specific panel of proteins present in the spinal fluid. By detecting the disease early, doctors and scientists can learn how to better treat or prevent the disease from getting worse.

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