Technology and Medicine Infographic

This extremely attractive infographic address how technology has changed the medical industry.  It starts off by stating “medical technology is the application of devices, procedures, and knowledge for diagnosing and treating disease for the purpose of maintaining, promoting, and restoring wellness while improving the quality of life.”  On the left of the entire infographic is a timeline of technological advances in the medical industry, starting with the invention of the stethoscope in 1816 and ending with the production of the first commercial hybrid PET/MRI scanner in 2008.  Check out the entire timeline for the whole scoop.

US Med Tech Companies By Segment

A pie chart shows us that a great many medical technology companies are focused on therapeutic devices, while the next biggest segment belongs to non-imaging diagnostics.  The next largest segment is dedicated to research and other equipment, and the next segment (second to the smallest) is dedicated to imaging.  The smallest segment is designated as “Other.”  In the therapeutic devices category, the largest piece of that piece of the pie goes to cardiovascular and vascular developments, and the smallest to urology/pelvic with many other therapeutic devices in between.

3 Ways Medical Technology Has Improved Treatment Processes

1. Faster Diagnosis

2. Less Invasive Treatments

3. Shorter Hospital Stays

Survival Rate

It is noted that the survival curve has flattened because of lower mortality and has become increasingly vertical with older people because of the technological advances.  A graph shows the percentage of people who lived until a certain age between 1900 and 1902, when only about 10% of people lived past the age of 85, and 2002, when almost 30% of people lived past the age of 85.  Based on this graph, most people live to age 55 or older, and around 50% of people live to at least age 80.

Advances in Medical Technology

Some of the advances mentioned are wireless heart monitors, skin cell guns, the STEM microscope, Nexagon healing gel, Berkeley Bionics’ eLEGS, and the iPhone Blood Pressure Monitor.  A description of each of these advances is included on the infographic.

Advancements in Health Record Technology and More

Sprint has something called M2M healthcare initiative that provides GPS tracking for patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and offers faster access to more unified personal data like heath records and test results.  Now there is also a “know before you go” option for hospital emergency rooms.  Some hospitals place their wait times on billboards, make them available on their website, and even offer the wait time via text.  Some hospitals participate in a service called InQuick ER where a patient can pay a $9.99 fee and hold a place in the ER online.

Helpful Healthcare Apps

Some of the apps listed are My Medical, which allows you to store medical histories for you and your whole family, BP Buddy, that helps you track your blood pressure levels, Glucose Buddy, which helps you manage diabetes, and iTriage, that is a diagnostic tool.  Also listed is the Ovulation Calendar – guess what that does?  Also, the Mediquations Medical Calculator brings 231 medical calculations and scoring tools right to your mobile device.

Scorecard

Design:  A

Like I mentioned before, this is a very attractive infographic.  It manages to get a lot of information across in a way that does not confuse you or frustrate you, and the colors used are easy on the eyes.

Information:  A

The information given is complete and well-researched.

Source:  SmallCellLungCancer.net

It’s A Smart World Infographic

This infographic is a great homage to the microprocessor.  Born over forty years ago, the microprocessor has undergone many changes, and this infographic shows us the ways we use them today.

Energy

Microprocessors are used in commercial buildings to monitor energy consumption and make it so that the buildings are energy efficient.

Major Machines

Microprocessors are used in treadmills and other exercise equipment, vending machines, ATMs, cash registers, and more.

Advertising

Microprocessors allow retail signs to really communicate to their demographic - they are able to change to address people of a certain age or gender.

Cars

Traffic signs can guide cars away from wrecks and construction, digital surveillance helps keep order on the road, roads have warning systems for bad weather, and inside the car itself microprocessors make navigation systems and in-car entertainment a reality.

Personal Devices

From your household appliances to your MP3 player, microprocessors are all over your home.  In your computer, your TV, and maybe even in your medication.  They now make pill bottles that can tell you whether or not you’ve already taken your medication.

Farms

Tractors that can plant seeds, fertilize, and harvest are now automated, thanks to microprocessors, and microprocessors are even at the heart of the wind turbines, making them more energy efficient and useful.

Scorecard

Design:  A

It’s pretty, and neat-looking.

Information:  A

It really drives the message home when you think about how many everyday items contain a microprocessor.

Source: It’s a Smart World Inforgraphic by Intel

Evolution of the Microprocessor Infographic

This infographic teaches us about the history of the microproccesor, which celebrated its 40th birthday this year.  Let’s take a look.

1970′s

The decade the microprocessor was born, it started with huge calculators and even bigger computers.

1980′s

The first enormous laptop was created, and game consoles emerged as a new generation turned to a new way to have fun.

1990′s

By this time, computing became widespread.  Computers were introduced to the business world, into people’s homes, and computers come in all shapes and sizes, from laptops, desktops, and even some early tablets.

2000′s

Thanks to the introduction of a slew of mobile devices, the internet is mainstream and media and technology grow exponentially.

2010′s

Today’s microprocessor delivers performance that the 1970′s may have not even dreamed.  Social media and all the other amazing things you can do on mobile devices and computers is possible because of the latest incarnation of the microprocessor.

Scorecard

Design:  C+

The conflicting design and outdated black and white drawings are kind of creepy.

Information:  B

The information is a little general, but solid.

Source: Microprocessor information from Intel.

Are You Addicted to Your Mobile Phone Infographic

This UK-based infographic asks if you are addicted to your mobile phone.  They say that 83% of people own mobile phones, and I am thinking they are talking about the population of the UK, because no way for the whole world, you know?  Of that 83%, 35% own smartphones.  Of the people who own cell phones, about half of them admit to be addicted to their devices.  Scary.

What do people do on their phones?  44% get on the internet.  23% participate in social networking.  38% send and receive emails.  73% take photos with their phones.  54% send those photos or video with their phone.  73% of mobile phone owners text message.

What would people be willing to sacrifice in order to keep their mobile phones?  70% of mobile phone owners would sacrifice alcohol (because what is the fun of drunk dialing on a pay phone?), 63% would give up chocolate (are they crazy?), and 33% would give up sex (we’re guessing the mobile phone has something to do with that for that 33%…).

Signs of Smartphone Addiction

Of the following scenarios, if  more than 7 apply to you, you’re addicted to your mobile phone and should seek help in the form of outdoors and fresh air immediately.  Leave the phone at home.

Scenario 1 – I never turn off my mobile phone.  See the image for more statistics related to this scenario, and for the following.  I don’t want to give everything away in this description!

Scenario 2 – I walk and text.

Scenario 3 – I don’t care where I am, I’ll talk on my phone.

Scenario 4 – I use company time to make personal calls.

Scenario 5 – I Facebook, Twitter, etc during work meetings.

Scenario 6 – I take my phone to the potty with me, and use it while I’m doing my businesses.

Scenario 7 – Rather than talking to people, I check my email, Twitter feed, etc. in public.

Scenario 8 – I don’t even watch TV anymore.  I just watch stuff on my phone.

Scenario 9 – I check my social feeds in the middle of the night.

The bottom line?  Moderation is key.

Scorecard

Design:  B-

It’s kind of busy, and the colors don’t quite work.

Information:  B+

I don’t like stuff that is region specific that doesn’t state it’s region-specific.  The internet is international, Baby.

Source: Are you addicted to your mobile? by new and used mobile phones

Doctor’s Tech Toolbox Infographic

This infographic talks about modernization of health IT systems, and how $19 billion was allocated to expedite the health IT systems under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  It goes on to talk about spending technology-wise, and how technology is being used in the healthcare system.  It is not only an interesting bit of information about the healthcare system, but an interesting look at what types of gadgets doctors prefer to do their jobs.  The infographic informs us that US hospital spending on IT systems will be $4.7 billion by the end of this year, and will grow to $6.8 billion by the end of 2014.

The Gadgets

The majority of doctors prefer an iPad.  It doesn’t really say what the doctors use the iPads for, and I’m going to go ahead and assume it’s for work.  79% prefer the iPad.  75% of US physicians have purchased an Apple-based product, and that 38% of doctors plan to buy an iPad within a year.  Some of this must be for personal use, considering the next bit of information.

At the Point of Care

This tells us that 40% of physicians use a digital device at the point of care.  So of those 75% of physicians who have bought an iPad… Oh well.  2 in 5 doctors go online during a consultation, often on a handheld device.  The information accessed is usually drug reference, online journals, disease associations, or support groups for patients.

The Convenience of Mobile

This tells you something.  63% of the physicians are using a mobile device that is not supported by their practice in order to find mobile health solutions.  94% of physicians use consulting apps.  I suppose some practices provide mobile devices for their doctors.  The top three things physicians are interested in using mobile technology for are:  electronic medical records, prescriptions, and hospital monitoring of patients.  Mobile monitoring devices are expected to rise in demand – from a $7.7 billion dollar spend to $43 billion in 2011.  43% of the medical apps created are specifically made for health professionals.

Apps for Doctors and Nurses

This gives a brief description of 4 different apps that are used by medical professionals.  They include something that lets you look at the heart from any angle, and something that lets doctors take up-close photos of a patient’s skin.

Social Media

2/3 of physicians are using social media in their profession.  In the social media word, there are 1,188 hospitals, 548 YouTube Channels, 1018 Facebook pages, 788 Twitter accounts, 458 LinkedIn accounts, 913 FourSquare accounts, and 137 blogs.  50% of all doctors say they are influenced by user-generated content.

Design:  B+

The colors are a bit dull, but the graphics are good and the type is easy to read.

Information:  A

All very useful information about how social media and technology are changing healthcare.

Source:  Spina bifida at spinabifidainfo.com