Author: kqnelson

For my technical project, I created a 3D printed model of the Lochness Monster.

While in Dundee, we attended a guest lecture from Rod Mountain. Rod introduced the idea of Realistic Medicine that the NHS in Scotland is implementing. Realistic Medicine is a proposition to challenge healthcare workers to ensure the best quality of care for their patients. This motion focuses on personalized care and informing patients of all relevant details so that they can make a cognizant decision on their path of treatment. The importance of Realistic Medicine is that it reduces harmful care, provides a personalized approach, and encourages a conversation about treatment between provider and patient. 

This discussion on Realistic Medicine gave me an empathetic perspective on healthcare design. In a previous engineering class, I learned about the Grand Challenges of Engineering. One of those challenges is Engineering Better Medicines. This challenge seeks for a healthcare service directly tailored to each person. With both of these ideas in mind, it made me think that personalized care can originate from the very beginning with medical tools and devices. For example, designs can include more ability for adjustments for different types of people. To conclude, Realistic Medicine is a compassionate advance that should continue to be implemented in all aspects of a healthcare system, especially the designing phase.