When I started my family practice in the mid-sixties, the availability of technology to assist in diagnosing and treating many conditions was very limited. Imaging was restricted to X-ray machines and ultrasound was just beginning to become available for limited use. CAT scans and MRI were not yet developed. Many patients with diabetes had to use a pin prick every day to determine their blood sugar and, if I drew a blood sample to be tested in a lab, I would get the result two days later. Cardiac evaluation was done with a stethoscope and an ECGmachine (electrocardiogram). Brain evaluation was by physical evaluation, X-rays and possibly an EEG (electroencephalogram). No colonoscopy instruments were available. Lower bowel examination was limited to finger examination, X-rays and a short rigid examining tube (sigmoidoscope). Persons subject to dangerous and potentially fatal heart rhythms did not yet have the benefit of the life-saving pacemakers in common use today. Our limitations were not confined strictly to diagnostic efforts, but also to treatment modalities. Microscopic and robotic surgery were not yet available and telemedicine technology − providing available expertise to remote physicians and hospitals − was unknown. Blood pressure measurement was only done in the office setting, thereby limiting the accurate assessment of hypertension and appropriate drug therapy. Home monitoring BP cuffs and Holter monitors were unavailable. Information from consultants and from any emergency room visits by my patients came back to me by mail some days later. Heart attacks were treated with bed rest, careful monitoring and drugs to help in preventing dangerous rhythm changes. Cardiac surgery − including bypass and coronary artery stents − were yet to be developed. These are but a few of the examples of diagnosing and treating illnesses more than 50 years ago and how our health status has improved since the time before the advent of an explosion in the invention and availability of modern technology. In 1965, the life expectancy for Canadians was about 71 years from birth, whereas today it is higher than 82. In addition to improved public health measures, better pharmacotherapy and other factors, advances in medically related diagnostic and treatment technologies have made a tremendous difference. Here are a few of the advances in technology that have become routine in disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment. How Technology is Improving Our Health Health by Dr. Robert MacMillan MD 32 | www.snowbirds.org
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