The future of health and medicine will be heavily influenced by the rapid expansion of technology, as can already be seen in quickly evolving methods and treatments available.
One advancement in this area that has recently made headlines is the Dario Glucose Meter. This device plugs into your IPhone and syncs with an app that will display results of glucose tests taken through the attached meter. This innovative technology provides a convenient, compact and on-the-go alternative to the traditionally bulky kits that can make diabetes more of a chore than it has to be.
Dario Blood Glucose Monitor, Digital Image, MyDario.com, 2016
In classmate Matthias Eyeford’s blog post on the future of technology innovation, he mentions the uncertainty and instability of tech, as connected to the recent Samsung Note 7 drama and also the rise and fall of brands such as Blackberry and Radio Shack. Matthias speculates that a huge reshaping of the technology industry will occur in the future due to the emergence and implosion of firms. Considering this obviously unpredictable industry, is it safe to trust the future of health care to technology?
With regards to the Dario Glucose Meter, it may be critiqued in several ways. For one, it is reliant on the user having their phone accessible and charged, which is a much less reliable battery life than other glucose monitors available. It is also currently only compatible with IPhone, which not everyone prefers or can afford. The connection for this device to the phone is through the headphone jack, which Apple is currently making obsolete. It is unknown how Dario Health will respond to this unexpected change. Regardless of these possible downfalls, I think that this is a strong example of a small step in the right direction for easier management of disorders such as diabetes that intrude largely into the everyday lives of those afflicted. Looking at the incredibly high costs that the treatment of diabetes incurs in America alone creates further incentive and reasoning behind companies like Dario Health.
The Costs of Diabetes, Digital Image, American Diabetes Association, 2016
While tech may sometimes be unpredictable, I believe that it is important to continue to use it for the advancement of medicine. The strong possibilities of failure but high payoffs of success and extremely competitive markets will, I believe lead to incredible new technologies that we currently couldn’t even imagine. Advancements such as MRI’s, X-rays and even the basic glucose meter have saved countless lives and furthered the reach of human capabilities in fighting illness and injury. I am excited to see how much further this industry will grow in my lifetime, with what I believe to be endless opportunities available.
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