Process Paper

Course: Critical Reading and Writing in Science and Technology and Medical Science
Name: Steven Palmer
ID No.: 620108047
Instructor: Ms. Reid
Stream: 23

The embarkment of this literary masterpiece began with inspiration from the stimulus passage

“What will medicine be able to do with hearts?”. The article shed much light on the medical

field and the advancements in technology which have been implemented over the years, as well

as their development in the methods being used. Due to the facts and opinions put forward by Dr.

Fong, one thought of the medical field at large, considering the many disciplines found in the

field and the changes which have occurred due to the advent of technological development. Fong

stated that “In recent years, the left ventricular assist device (LVAD) - an artificial pump that

helps the left side of the heart do its job - has shrunk from a large external piece of kit to a tiny

battery-operated device that can be implanted into the chest.” This struck me, as just one of the

many notable innovations that have been seen in the field. Although there has been a myriad of

methods, how effective are these methods and do they affect our patients? Does it stop there or is

the eulogized medical field permeated by fallacious contraptions to make patients even worse?

These are only some of the questions my mind concocted while reading the article. Further

reading was done to acquire an understanding of the extremities of the conglomeration of the

ideas put forward. Due to developments in information technologies and other fields of science,

future developments in imaging technology are expected (IFF 2003, as cited by Productivity

Commission 2005). But are these medical professionals telling the whole truth considering the
medical profession is being bought by the pharmaceutical industry, not only in terms of the

practice of medicine, but also in terms of teaching and research (Relman, 2002).

Research Question:

What are some of the major disadvantages of “new technology” in the field of

Cardiology?

Subsidiary Questions

1. What are the most prominent side effects of “new technology” in the field and how do

they affect the patients?

2. Who determines whether an instrument is fit for use, whether to treat or diagnose?

3. What statistics are currently viable for these instruments to conclude they did more harm

to individuals than good?

4. What are some implications of “new technology” on the environment and economy (in

the field)?

5. In comparison with traditional methods, what trends have been seen in terms of success

rates in the field?

{Word count: 346}

 References

Productivity Commission 2005, Impacts of Advances in Medical Technology in Australia,

Research Report, Melbourne.

http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/medical-technology/report/medicaltechnology.pdf

Georgi G. and Theo A. 2011, Advances in Telemedicine: Applications in Various Medical

Disciplines and Geographical Regions, InTech Janeza Trdine 9, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia.

https://downloadmedicalbooks.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/advances_in_telemedicine__applica

tions_in_various_medical_disciplines_and_geographical_regions.pdf

Kayne S. 2010, Traditional Medicine, Pharmaceutical Press An imprint of RPS Publishing,

London, England.

https://www.fichier-pdf.fr/2011/04/30/kayne-2010-super-livro-traditional-medicine/kayne-2010-

super-livro-traditional-medicine.pdf

Relman A, Angell M. America's other drug problem: How the drug industry distorts medicine

and politics. New Republic 2002. December 16: 27, Harvard Medical School, USA.