History of Medical Technology

History of Medical Technology Profession

• Medical Technology's history spans several centuries, with roots in ancient practices
• 1550 BC: The Ebers Papyrus documented intestinal parasitic infections, showcasing early medical knowledge
• 300 BC - 180 AD: Hippocrates, considered the "Father of Medicine", and Galen laid groundwork for rudimentary, qualitative assessment of disorders. Techniques like bloodletting were commonplace
• By the 18th century: Mechanical techniques and cadaver dissection were used for more objective diagnoses.
• 19th century: Physicians used machines for diagnosis and therapeutics
• 1880: Microscopes and blood counting machines were introduced in US hospitals. Clinical laboratories in doctors' offices, homes, and facilities began to appear.

Definition of Medical Technology

• Anna Fagelson (1961): Defined Medical Technology as "the branch of medicine concerned with the performance of laboratory determinations and analyses used in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and the maintenance of health."
• Ruth Heinemann (1963): Defined Medical Technology as "the application of the principles of natural, physical, and biological sciences to the performance of laboratory procedures which aid in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases."
• Walters (1966): Defined Medical Technology as "the health profession concerned with performing laboratory analyses to obtain information necessary for diagnosis and treatment of diseases, as well as maintenance of good health".
• Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969 (RA 5527): Defined Medical Technology as an auxiliary branch of laboratory medicine, covering examination of tissues, secretions, excretion, body fluids using techniques (both manual and automated) for aiding diagnosis, study, and treatment of disease and promoting health.

Emergence of the Profession

• The 14th century saw the emergence of medical technologists, with prominent Italian physician's employing specialists for tasks now considered basic medical technology procedures
• 1915: Pennsylvania required hospitals to have fully-equipped labs and staff, leading to a regulated medical technology profession
• 1920s onwards: Clinical divisions of laboratories were established within hospitals under physicians, including clinical pathology, bacteriology, microbiology, serology, and radiology.
• The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) was formed in 1922 to promote cooperation and ethical standards among medical technologists.

Inventions and Innovations

• Innovations like the microscope (Zacharias Janssen, Anton van Leeuwenhoek) significantly advanced medical technology by permitting observation of microorganisms (especially bacteria) leading to greater understanding and control of disease.
• The work of people like Jenner, Bassi, Bichat, Pasteur, Koch, and others profoundly impacted medical technology by bringing about developments in immunology, bacteriology, and other related areas.
• 19th and later centuries brought advances like steam sterilization, immunologic tests (Wassermann), hemoglobin structure analysis (Fisher), Westgard quality control rules, PCR, and subsequent developments in stem cells (Thomson), and specific disease-focused diagnostics.

Medical Technology in the Philippines

• 1565: Military Hospital in Manila begins operations
• 1578: San Lazaro Hospital founded by the Franciscans
• 1596: San Juan de Dios Hospital established
• 1641: Hospital de San Jose built in Cavite
• 1870: Medical journals and sciences began to appear.
• 1901: Bureau of Government Laboratories initiated by the US Government, followed by the Bureau of Science
• 1915: Civilian Board of Health reorganized into the Philippine Health Service
• 1923: University of Minnesota introduced the first degree program on medical technology
• 1927: University of the Philippines, College of Public Health started its certification program
• 1940s: Labs were established in Philippine hospitals
• Laboratories and medical technology education continued to develop
• 1950s and onward: Medical technologists sought government recognition; Bachelor's degrees in medical technology were formalized and offered by universities in the Philippines

Explore the fascinating evolution of the medical technology profession, from ancient practices to modern innovations. Delve into the milestones that shaped laboratory analysis and diagnostic techniques over the centuries. Understand the contributions of pivotal figures and the introduction of groundbreaking tools in healthcare.