Past, Present and Future: The Journey of Medical Practices
Written by: Ashley Budiman

Medical practices have long evolved throughout the years. Things done in the past may seem unusual and insane, but that situation is inevitable for any generation. Medical practices being implemented now may seem unimaginable in the future, when many more developments are present. So let’s take a look at the past, present, and future of medical practices.

Despite their unsafe ways, there is no doubt that historical medical practices paved the way for modern medical practices today. So let’s look at some of the interesting things they used to do in the past. Because of its ability to cause liver and kidney damage, respiratory depression, and even cancer, chloroform is currently recognized as hazardous. However, back then, it was used as an anesthetic and believed to be a cure for asthma. Another thing that was thought to be a cure for asthma was cigarettes, which was quite odd as their undesirable effects were already known. A popular medical practice in Egypt called bloodletting was used to treat diseases such as smallpox and the plague, where a lancet or leech was used to remove blood from the patient’s body. Urine drinking was also popular in Egypt and other countries. It was believed to have therapeutic properties and was used to treat various ailments, such as kidney and liver problems. 

Many are aware of the recent involvement of AI technology, which allows quicker detection of diseases and is able to create more comprehensive treatment programs. However, did you know that a number of psychological illnesses and conditions are being treated with virtual reality? They can include stress and anxiety, as well as dementia and autism. 3-D-printed prosthetics are also becoming increasingly popular as they can match an individual's measurements down to the millimeter, allowing more comfort and mobility. Using 3-D printing for presurgical planning is also gaining traction, as training beforehand using 3-D printed models increases success rates and reduces operating room time.

Now, what about the future? AI may have started to make its mark in the medical world, but it is expected to play a major role in shaping medical practices and healthcare as a whole in the future. A Harvard Medical School professor predicts that disease management models will evolve and sensors watched over by AI algorithms will power the future. According to a health informatics expert, big data will be used to help AI make suggestions to us about tailoring individual patients, and most health data in the future will be stored in the cloud, making data more accessible from any location.

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Medical practices will undoubtedly change and progress over time, and looking back at the past, the improvements are most definitely welcomed. Medical practices will continue to evolve as we evolve, and we should all look forward to it.