Robotic Surgery Essay Sample
Robotic surgery is the method through which a surgeon carries out surgical procedures using a computer distantly controlling very minute instruments linked to the robot. The purpose of this paper is to provide an elaborated insight into the robotic surgery. Since its invention, the technique has been advantageous because it minimizes the movements of the surgeon. For instance, the surgeon will move about a half an inch for each one inch he or she was supposed to move. Besides, this is important in decreasing some of the hand trembles and actions that could otherwise make the process less accurate. In addition, robotic instruments can be able to access regions of the body that are hard-to-reach, very easily and through lesser surgical cuts as compared to outmoded exposed and laparoscopic surgery. This paper discusses several issues surrounding robotic surgery such as historical advancement and framework of the technology, political and lawful influences, economical issues and reflections, psychological contemplations and sociological impacts, moral and virtuous inferences, consequences on the environment and technology in its societal framework.
Historical development and the context of the technology
Robotics was first established in the year 1987, when the first laparoscopic surgery was introduced. Since that time, several processes have been conducted laparoscopically since the technology as well as skills associated with it have advanced. The surgery method is popular because it is slightly invasive as cuts are smaller. This means there is less danger of infection, the patient stays in hospital for shorter period, and recovery time is reduced. Nevertheless, there are disadvantages of slightly invasive surgery. While moving the equipment, the surgeon must observe a video monitor. The surgeon has to shift in the contrary course from the object on the monitor to act on the right region on the patient so that hand-eye synchronization, perceptible and force response, and deftness are not compromised. Other weaknesses of laparoscopic surgery comprise limited extents of motion, minimized sense of touch, and amplified sensitivity to hand movements.
Political and legal influences
Robotics could provide fresh avenues in the close future in surgical practice. Politically, robotic surgery is perceived to demand specialized training and skills together with high quality valuation to offer standard meticulous care and state-of-the-art medical attention. Even though the legal foundation for certified liability remains precisely the same, legal processes related to the application of robotic surgery could be more complicated. In case of a detrimental consequence, besides the physician and/or the infirmary, the constructor of the mechanical system could be litigated. In line with the ethical subjects in robotic, surgery apparatus safety and dependability, availability of enough information, and conservation of privacy is extremely significant. In addition, the charge of the robotic surgery as well as unavailability of such equipment in several public hospitals could limit most people from benefiting from such technology.
Economic questions and considerations
Due to the fact that robotic surgery is very precise coupled with the notion that surgery patients take relatively shorter time to recover, several patients would prefer adopting it. This implies that hospitals using this technology would save some money since the cost of acquiring the robotic machine can be extremely high. Furthermore, the expenditures that would be sustained for having such kind of machinery would come, to a large extent, from training the doctors who are involved in applying it for their surgical operations. Because of the expenses involved in acquiring and training of doctors, hospitals normally charge relatively higher costs for its use. This can limit the number of people using such equipment. Therefore, appropriate measures should be put in place to ensure that this beneficial health care is accessible to all people in spite of their economic background.
Psychological considerations and sociological effects
The major social issues that is raised with this technology is the fact that it would be expensive to construct and use, making only necessary to the rich. The other main issue is how robotics would intermingle with the surgeons. This could result into different health complications and risks such as reactions to medicines, difficulties in breathing, bleeding and infection. Even though robotic surgery could have fewer risks, the complications, especially infection and bleeding is never completely eliminated. In some cases, social matters associated to developed surgical technology, like implementation of undocumented technology or itinerant surgery, also arise. With every new dilemma, the grounds have continued to emerge, though the resolutions have become more complicated.
The technology in its cultural context, media influence
Technology has constantly improved in every aspect of the modern life. The world would never be the same without such kind of improvements. The society revolves around technology and people depend on it for almost everything from simple mobile phones that help in observance of daily schedule to accuracy in operating rooms. It is the media’s influence that assists in pushing technology across different cultures. The coverage of the major benefits of the technology internationally helps in its quick adoption. The robotic surgery technology has numerous benefits that could change the future of therapeutic treatment. Even though the fresh installments of the technology will have both merits and demerits, currently, robotic surgery will transform the state of medical care and will assist thousands of people. It will be readily adopted due to extensive media coverage.
Implications for the environment
Besides the advantages already aforementioned, another great benefit of robotic surgery is based on its environmental implications. Robotics can retrieve data from imaging equipment and other apparatus that can be found in the operational room for information amplification. This could be important in reducing the work-related environmental risk by taking out the surgeon or any other worker from biohazards. One of the major biohazards is the exposure to radiations that a surgeon could be subjected to. Since the surgeon sit at a comfortable distance away from the patient, he or she is not susceptible to the environmental hazards posed by the surgical processes. This will not only be useful in safeguarding the health of the surgeons but also minimizing the environmental impacts associated with radiation emissions.
Moral and ethical implications
Every generation of surgeons takes over the moral as well as the ethical fundamentals from the former generation and has to practice the skills and knowledge of surgery dependent upon those basics. Even though the basics have remained unaffected, the applications have become more complicated and making decisions have become more difficult since the evolving technology offers greater opportunities to saving lives and relieving pain and anguish. This is the case of robotic surgery. Doctors using robotic surgery have to uphold good moral standards. In addition, all robotic surgeons have to get higher educational qualifications compared to regular surgeons to make them more competent in using such equipment. This should encompass good morals and ethics in while carrying out operations.