Each year, there are new discoveries in pharmacology, technology and disease prevention and treatment modalities which result in better and longer life. Over the last 50 years, these innovations have significantly changed the quality and quantity of life for average Canadians. In 1975, the lifespan for males in Canada was 70 and for females, 77. Now the latest records show the ages to be 81 for males and 85 for females. Much of this change can be attributed to healthier lifestyles and public health measures, but advances each year in diagnostic and treatment modalities have also had a significant effect on both the quality of life and longevity. Every year, there are new discoveries and new programs which help improve our health status including new drugs, improved technologies in diagnosis and treatment and advances in public health measures.
Drugs: In the area of drug advancement, there have been a number of discoveries including new, more effective drugs to treat HIV, certain genetic diseases, schizophrenia and urinary tract infections resistant to other antibiotics. Patients who have developed macular degeneration (AMD) are now experiencing increased availability of certain drugs which inhibit the progression of the disease, thereby reducing their risk of developing blindness. The rising use of Semaglutide for Type 2 diabetes and obesity is helping those individuals improve their health status. During the Covid pandemic, the discovery of Paxlovid reduced the severity of this infection for many.
Technology: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is beginning to transform many aspects of medical care, thus improving results in diagnosis, treatment and patient management. AI refers to the development of computer systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as reasoning, learning, decision-making and perception. Recently, my son, a family doctor in Ontario, told me of his use of AI in his office practice. Across Canada, physicians have complained that the amount of “paperwork” – including documentation of details of all patient visits, as well as the completion of numerous forms and other documents – was taking precious time away from actual patient care. This has been a leading complaint especially among family doctors, contributing to the decline in medical graduates choosing that path. My son now uses AI in most patient visits, wherein the relevant information from their discussion – as well as the findings from any examination such as blood pressure and physical findings and any prescriptions or ordered tests – is automatically entered, edited and documented on the patient’s record. This saves the physician time after each patient or at the end of the day, as the records are already complete.
Some of the greatest advances in diagnostic technology are through the AI programs increasingly used by doctors in making an early and correct diagnosis, as well as determining best investigative procedures and treatment. Such AI-powered tools help streamline clinical decisions by providing information from high-quality published medical articles. One such program, Openevidence, is now used extensively by doctors in the U.S. It is a medical information platform that uses AI to guide physicians in reviewing the large amount of medical knowledge and research regarding specific details relating to a patient’s condition. This enables them to make informed decisions about their patients’ diagnoses and most effective treatments.
Medical technology has also advanced the ability of individuals to closely monitor and take steps to improve their own health. Health-monitoring watches and other instruments can track blood pressure, heart rate, sleep patterns and exercise levels. Devices such as Kardia can detect abnormal heart rhythms, including atrial fibrillation. Medical alert devices for certain individuals – especially seniors or frail individuals living alone – have greatly improved, even alerting the need for assistance in falls or events where the individual is unable to press the button for help.
Another instrument becoming more useful in diagnosing certain diseases is the PET Scanner (positron emission tomography). Although first developed in 1973, it has taken many years to perfect the technology and make it more universally available. In my own community of Kingston, Ontario, only this year has one finally been acquired (patients previously had to go to Toronto or Ottawa to access this modern technology). In cases where CT and MRI scans are inadequate in diagnosing certain conditions, a PET scanner uses specialized X-ray equipment to more accurately diagnose and monitor treatment for cancer, as well as certain neurological and cardiac diseases.
Public Health: In the area of vaccines, the development and improvements in Covid vaccines, as well as the discovery of an effective vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are having a significant effect on reducing the incidence of these infections. RSV can infect people of all ages, but serious cases are more likely to affect infants, pregnant women and older adults, especially those with certain chronic diseases and weakened immune systems. Unfortunately, this vaccine is not yet universally covered by provincial health plans, but is by most private health plans. The same applies to Shingrex, the very successful vaccine recommended for the prevention of shingles.
Each year, medical advances have the potential of improving both our overall health status and our life expectancy. Just as important are our own choices in pursuing a healthy lifestyle, including healthy diets, regular exercise and avoiding excesses.