Copper wire, volts, and viruses!

Technology is translating science into machines, materials, matter, and methods which may not entirely be physically manifest but rather exist both concrete and abstract. Technology is the step forward, a movement of change to something better than the status quo. The cliched phrase, change is inevitable, comes to the rescue in our search for dening technology. As an advancement of the what, how, and why of ideas and products, we propel the human life to a higher level of living which is conceivably and ideally better. !

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It is an incessant force that has inltrated into the multitude of facets in human lives. All too often, humans have been dependent on technology for making their work easier, their mundane tasks more bearable, and virtually a betterment of what their lives were. This is anchored in the insatiable quality of humans being curious and creative and as such made what was discovered into technological advances. ! In the healthcare industry, we can see the strong relationship of this industry with that of technology. Much in literature and forums are the unending process for the promotion of health; prevention of illness; and the assessment, diagnosis, and management of acute and chronic illnesses (American Nurses Association, 2004). In the progression of the health care industry, much energy is devoted towards the use of evidence-based medicine and nursing practice where the best research evidence is coupled with clinical expertise to make an impact on or change in the current practices (Burns and Grove, 2007). This effort to better current practice involves other allied health sciences such as the diagnostic elds of radiology and medical technology, nutrition and diet therapy, physical rehabilitation, and especially the pharmacological industry all within the greater domain of technology. Minute changes on how a procedure is carried out in health such as the management of fever has made a big impact in the prognosis of disease conditions. To detail the management of fever as an example of the use of technology in the health care eld, we can mention the changes in materials and methods. First is the shift from mercury thermometers to electronic tympanic membrane thermometers (used in the ear) because of the recognized health and safety risks to clients and staff (Davis and OConnor, 1999) and that the use of tepid sponge bath is not effective and causes distress when compared with pharmacologic therapy (with acetaminophen) alone (Sharber, 1997); also, has the possibility of rebound hyperthermia (Kozier, Erb, Berman, Snyder, 2008). This is but one avenue of the employ of technology in health care. It should also be noted that due to the rapid changes in medical knowledge brought about by continuing research, there will be a corresponding need for change in the treatment, procedures, equipment and use of drugs. !

No item or process cannot possibly be linked in one way or another with technology. The constant evaluation of the present allows for changes to be instituted and be focused on for more rening and enhancements. The common theme arising from this is that science, research, and technology are permanently interrelated and are indispensable for each. Technology is anchored to the expanding understanding of the sciences and research. Any development in the eld of sciences has been due in great part because of research efforts and through the same, science is converted to technology. A circuitous relationship then exists with technology requiring scientic acuity to explain and elaborate the underpinnings of the products and processes and that further research prompts expansion of science. (See Figure 1. As Attachment)!

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Science

Research

Technology!

Figure 1. Relationship of Science, Research, and Technology

References:! American Nurses Association. (2004). Nursing Scope and standards of practice. Washington, DC: Author.! Burns, S., and Grove, S. (2007) Understanding Nursing Research Building and EvidenceBased Practice 4th Ed. Singapore: Elsevier Pte. Ltd.! Davis, S., and OConnor, S. (1999) Rehabilitation Nursing Foundations for Practice. China: Elsevier Ltd.! Kozier, B., Erb, G., Berman, S., and Snyder, S (2008) Kozier and Erbs Fundamentals of Nursing 8th Ed. Singapore: Pearson Education South Asia Pte. Ltd. ! Sharber, J. (1997) The efcacy of tepid sponge bathing to reduce fever in young children. American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 15, 2: 188-192. Abstract retrieved September 11, 2011 from Sciencedirect.