Principles of Medical Laboratory Science 1

Study Notes

History of Medical Technology in a Global Context

Early medical diagnosis regarded disease as a mystery linked to environmental and bodily interactions.
Hippocrates and Galen, prominent ancient Greek physicians, advanced quantitative assessment of disorder through body fluid analysis, specifically the four humors: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile.
Hippocrates pioneered the practice of examining urine by tasting it, listening to lungs, and observing physical symptoms; he connected urine characteristics, such as bubbles and pus, to kidney disease.
Galen termed diabetes as "diarrhea of urine" and identified the link between fluid intake and urine volume.
In medieval Europe, uroscopy was a prevalent diagnostic method, with physicians facing public penalties for neglecting urine examination.
By 900 AD, the first comprehensive book on urine characteristics, detailing aspects like color and density, was published.

Medicine and Medical Technology Advancement

The high mortality rates from plagues and diseases prompted significant advancements in medicine and medical technology.

11th Century - 19th Century Developments

Early 11th-century medical practitioners could not perform physical examinations; they relied on patient symptom descriptions and personal observations.
By the 18th century, mechanical techniques and cadaver dissections became vital for objective diagnoses and anatomical understanding.
The 19th century introduced machines for medical diagnostics and therapies, such as John Hutchinson's spirometer for lung capacity and Jules Herisson's sphygmomanometer for blood pressure measurement.
The application of chemistry in this era was critical for diagnosing diabetes, anemia, diphtheria, and syphilis.

Specialization in Medical Technology

The introduction of mechanical and chemical devices led to a shift from general practice to medical specialization due to the influx of patients and growing medical knowledge.
Increased complexity in medical machinery necessitated specialized technical expertise, fostering collaboration among different medical specialties.
This shift resulted in a more organized medical service framework within hospitals, necessitating the management of extensive patient data for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
The rise in patient data led to greater demands for information technology and an increase in the need for medical technicians; by 1969, 80% of medical professionals were non-physicians.
Technicians became essential for operating medical technologies, while patients needed education regarding their medical tests.

Technology as Basis for Diagnostic Assessments

The reliance on technology shifted diagnostic assessments away from traditional face-to-face patient-physician interactions towards dependence on technological outputs rather than subjective symptom descriptions.

Description

This quiz covers the history of medical technology on a global scale. It explores the key developments and milestones that have shaped medical laboratory science. Prepare to test your knowledge and understanding of the historical context to current practices in the field.