More Technology: Physician or Technician?

The assignment:
Discuss your thoughts, feelings and insights as to a future health care system that is heavily technology-focused. In essence, what will it mean for leadership? Focus on the topics we have been working through this quarter - topics such as disease/illness/sickness, relationships, business or calling, and the like.

After last week's assignment on technology, I had the privilege of reading my classmates' comments. Many of my peers seemed to welcome the "wonders" that technology had to offer the medical profession. Some however, expressed concern regarding costs, legalities, and the lack of relationship inherent in technology based medicine. This week, I read some articles that my professor posted on our class website that provided me with more insight on the subject.

After all of my exploration in regards to medical technology, I have come to realize that my role as a healthcare leader in regards to technology will be one of scrutiny and balance. Literature suggests that it is often both financially advantageous and less time consuming to order a "test" than to actually sit with a patient, ask questions and draw on experience to make a diagnosis. My concern here is the assumption that machines are infallible--making the role of the physician one more of consequence than anything else. To be certain, the professional landscape of medicine is changing and an effective leader will have to change with it.

My family had a family practitioner that took care of all 6 of us. I knew my doctor's name, he knew my entire family. I got a lollipop when I went to see him. I realize that not all individuals share my nostaligic view of medicine and that some people may not want that same intimate relationship that I once enjoyed with my family doctor. I am careful not to impose my preferences on an entire healthcare system.

Literature suggests that most Americans want to "throw everything we got" at their disease or condition. However, a prudent leader must be able to discern the risk/benefits of a procedure and communitcate the same to the hospital staff and/or patient. Whether medicine is a business or a calling makes no difference to me. Beacause regardless of where you are on that continuum, the fact that we in the medical profession must hold our patients' best interests as our top priority remains unchanged. (Regardless of what motivates you).