Smartphones have gradually, but steadily carved their ways into our lives becoming essential elements for our well-being. After helping lost people find their way on the road, saving victims during earthquakes and keeping the world up to date about the effects of natural disasters, smartphones have trespassed another boundary by becoming our pocket doctors. Thanks to the new advanced applications, smartphones can detect the diseases that people may suffer from and even suggest medications. However, the majority of the doctors have shown reluctance in acknowledging smartphones as allies against diseases.
Eric Topol, the energetic chief academic officer of Scripps Health, has witnessed more than one case in which smartphones have given first aid to suffering individuals. During his most recent flight from Washington D.C. to San Diego, Topol connected his AliveCor device to his smartphone in order to perform a cardiogram to a passenger who was experiencing severe chest pains. He has, thus proven that wireless medicine is a field that has a lot of potential and should be given much more consideration by doctors’ association.
Topol found out during the flight that the passenger was having a heart attack and the pilot managed to take measures in due time in order to save the man’s life. That moment was the proof that Topol needed to understand just how useful these devices can be in the actual health system. In his opinion, smartphone apps are much cheaper and much more effective than most methods used by doctors nowadays.
Of course, many more tests and researches must be performed beforehand, but Topol has already started his revolution in the medical field. He recommends all his patients apps and devices that could help them keep track of their vital signs. However, the big change is yet to come as Topol estimates that humans’ bloodstream will contain sensors in the future that will enable doctors to determine the evolution of cells. “By having a sensor in the blood, we can pick up all sorts of things, whether it’s cells coming off an artery lining [indicating heart attack], whether it’s the first cancer cell getting in the bloodstream, whether it’s the immune system revving up for asthma or diabetes or you name it,” he explained. This way, patients won’t have to perform unnecessary radiation and screening.
While Topol is very enthused about wireless medicine, most doctors nowadays think traditional procedures remain the most reliable. Unlike apps, traditional devices and methods have stood the test of time, so they cannot be easily replaced by error-prone programs.