Peralta, my childhood doctor, was a middle-aged man, kind but reserved, with Browline glasses that defined and framed his face. His clinic was a clean, aseptic place, with smells that I still remember. He knew my history, so preliminaries were superfluous. Two or three questions and then the exam. Time for reflection. Then I went, prescription in hand, to the pharmacy. Of course there were clinical analyses and X-rays, but those were left for “worthy occasions.”
Medicine has made tremendous progress in seven decades. Today I will focus on medical imaging. This first appeared in 1895, when Roentgen managed to see the bones of his wife’s hand, ring included.
Ultrasound, CT, MRI, etc. are currently common. It is worth reflecting on the advantages and limitations of these techniques in the exploration of the internal organs of the body.
First of all, It is important to recognize its use in the detection of abnormalities or diseases that are not evident to the naked eye, a necessary condition for a rapid and timely diagnosis. However, in many cases images are not conclusive on their own. For them to be useful, a series of steps must be rigorously followed to ensure their quality. Then, their interpretation, despite the help of artificial intelligence, still depends on the specialized eye. Both aspects are human, and humans can make mistakes.
Second, under average conditions, clinical imaging techniques are safe. New technologies and digital information processing reduce the patient’s level of exposure. However, they also involve potential risks. The basic criterion is of an ethical nature: a study should be proposed if the benefits to the patient outweigh the risks, which include economic considerations of its cost.
Finally, the specialization of medicine and the characteristics of our health system mean that a specialist is not always aware of what others are doing. Each one can request justified radiological studies for the same patient, but when added together they become worrying, because their effects can be cumulative and manifest years later.
As patients, We must be informed and aware of the needs and potential risks of the studies, especially those that are prolonged. Children require greater care, as they are more vulnerable. As parents, we must keep records of their examinations and inform the health personnel who care for us.
“A study should be proposed if the benefits to the patient outweigh the risks”
*Teacher and researcher at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Galileo University
#represent #heart #correct #diagnosis
