Key challenges to medicine

Question 1

what are the three aims in medicine

Answer 1

longevity, life free of disease or disability, quality of life

Question 2

what are the three changes: major influence on health

Answer 2

population growth. ageing population. technological advances

Question 3

challenges to medicine: burden of disease

Answer 3

the magnitude, some people may be susceptible than others. illness can be analysed at cell level (DNA)

Question 4

challenges to medicine: ageing

Answer 4

ageing still mystery. chronic diseases. longer lifespan = dementia.

Question 5

challenges to medicine: obesity

Answer 5

Obesity (pollution, stress & diet change DNA). Most diseases linked to obesity. Population vs Individual management

Question 6

challenges to medicine: personalised medicine

Answer 6

Interventions adaptable to individual patient’s genetic composition. High expectations. Access to information

Question 7

challenges to medicine: resistance to antibiotics

Answer 7

No significant investments in new antibiotics. Misuse, lack of control, patients demands, competencies

Question 8

challenges to medicine: technology, information, evidence

Answer 8

technology has benefits and risks. population and individual access to knowledge. evidence: generation and access. artificial intelligence: diagosis and treatment

Question 9

challenges to medicine: today and future workforce

Answer 9

shortage of health professionals (numbers/types). competencies (quality/safety). curriculum development (education/training). multidisciplinary team/skills (transferable)

Question 10

impact of the challenges on medical education and practice

Answer 10

we have to: master IT and access to evidence; prevent and control chronic diseases NCDs; work in interdisciplinary teams; maximise pop benefit