Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Despite huge advancements into delivering nanomedicine strategies for improving
healthcare, further research is required to fill the gap in the knowledge regarding the safety
of nanotechnology [76, 77]. Complete research needs to be conducted to adequately assess
the life cycle of the engineered nanomaterials on the impact human health and environment
[77]. After satisfactory completion, communication with stakeholders needs to be undertaken
to outline the risks and benefits of nanotechnology [77].
Epidemiologic research is a powerful healthcare tool to determine distribution of
diseases in populations to manage healthcare problems. Social behavior and environ-
mental regulation impact on the health outcomes [78]. Understanding and analyzing
how nanomedicine could impact on public health using epidemiological studies could
better predict the effect of nanomedicine enhancing health outcomes and for whom
this technology would benefit [76]. As nanomedicine draws closer to becoming the first
line of treatment in healthcare, understanding health outcomes and a long term cost
benefit analysis is vital to its successful implementation [76]. At first nanomedicine
will be more expensive than traditional methods and this challenge will need to be
overcome with sufficient data to demonstrate that the application of nanomedicine is
beneficial [76].
It will be important to ensure public perceptions of risks and benefits of nanomedicine
are adequate to ensure correct medical decision-making by patients. For example, non-
compliance with vaccines already highlights how public perception can be vital to medical
care [79]. Stakeholders must be clear and transparent with regards to the capability of
nanotechnology when describing to the public and policy boards [76].
To ensure implementation of emerging technologies into healthcare systems it will be
important to train healthcare professionals in areas of nanotechnology, strengthening the
bond between industry, government, and academia [76]. Applications in certain medical
specialties will be essential, for example radiology, infectious disease, and oncology, to
advance research to commercialization [76].
Finally, it will be important for regenerative medicine to develop clinical therapies that
will revolutionize healthcare outcomes, but at the same time it is important not to overstate,
or be unrealistic, about what is possible to deliver to the patient. We must be careful not to
be too overenthusiastic and advocate only what is reasonable for today in order to ensure
that we maximize the benefits of nanotechnology.
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