As Lorraine pointed out technology is constantly changing...it has not been determined if some of these changes are for better or worse just yet!

The medical field will see even more changes as technology continues to grow. When you schedule your next visit to the doctor and he or she says you will need surgery make sure you ask who will be assisting with the surgery and where he, she or it will be located.

Surgeries conducted with the help of robots make it possible for doctors to consult with other surgeons miles away in other countries. I guess two heads are better than one, especially when it comes to vital organs in my body. As our reading has suggested this week, maybe the world is becoming flat.

I know someone who recently had open-heart surgery and the incision is huge. The recovery time is also very lengthy. However, there may be an alternative available soon. AESOP, a robot used in cardiac surgery, would eliminate the large incision patients have and the sternum also would not have to be cracked. Instead, surgeons make three small incisions near the ribs. Early data suggests that recovery time is shortened when robots assist with heart surgery (Meadows, 2002).

While much of the early data on robotic surgery is positive, for some reason I am still hesitant. One day, however, this may no longer be a concern of mine.

http://www.fda.gov/Fdac/features/2002/302_bots.html

http://www.seattlecca.org/aboutscca/pressRoom/archive/robots.htm