Abstract This paper discusses the use of radio-diagnostic imagery instead of the more standard form of autopsy in forensic medicine. The paper examines the pros and cons of using images provided by machinery such as MRIs instead of the information provided by the more invasive autopsy procedure. The paper discusses the accuracy of radio-diagnostic imagery compared with its less technologically advanced counterpart in determining causes of death. The author concludes that while radio-diagnosticimaging can be useful in forensic medicine, it can not yet replace traditional autopsy.
Table of Contents:
Objective
Introduction
Negative Findings in the use of Radio-diagnosticImaging in Forensic Medicine
Positive Findings in the use of Radio-diagnosticImaging in Forensic Medicine
Discussion
Conclusion
From the Paper "There has been an increase in the use of MRI in forensics in making a diagnosis when death involved either injury or disease. Stated to be one of the: "main criticisms of the use of MRI as an alternative to conventional autopsy is the lack of validation of this imaging technique." This is due to the mixed results that have been reported related to MRI post mortem examinations in the fields of neuropathology and paediatrics."
Tags: MRI, forensic, medicine, Post, Mortem, Magnetic, Resonance, Imaging
Abstract The paper shows that diagnosticimaging is a rapidly growing healthcare industry that involves the application of electromagnetic radiation to create images of internal structures of the human body with the goal of providing an accurate diagnosis of the patient's condition. It points out that a common theme in the literature review is the need for an increased receptiveness on the part of all healthcare practitioners, both senior clinicians as well as those in training, to improve interdisciplinary activities, as well as more effective communications and collaboration among the various imaging subspecialties. Regrettably, the same market forces that have driven the rapid growth of diagnosticimaging for the benefit of the healthcare consumer are the same forces that are fueling the growing tendency to use these techniques unnecessarily or for inappropriate purposes. The writer points out, however, that there are a lot of imaging machines out there that are going to require skilled and competent technicians to operate them.
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Background and Overview
DiagnosticImaging Today
Identifying Effective Supervisory Techniques in Support of a Constructive Clinical Learning Experience
Current and Future Trends
Bibliography
From the Paper " According to Anreson and Carroll, "These external accrediting agencies for specialized services provide a means to legitimate the organization. Internal participants also make legitimacy evaluations that can affect their own levels of involvement and motivation" (p. 36). Just as the Holy Bible points out that "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other" (Matthew 6:24, KJV), Anreson and Carroll note that one or another of these internal or external assessments may represent the most important at any given time within certain areas of the organization and different sources of legitimacy may conflict with one another.
A fundamental consideration in this regard concerns the need for changing an organizational component that is not going to be easily changed. According to Amy C. Edmondson's essay, "Framing for Learning: Lessons in Successful Technology Implementation" (2003), "The decision to bring a new, innovative technology into a complex organization is only the first step in an implementation journey. Many new technologies disrupt existing organizational routines and relationships, requiring potential users to re-learn how to work together--a challenge that usually proves more difficult than anticipated" (p. 34). As a result, any type of new technology will cause the subsequent implementation process to take place along a variety of paths that are determined less by the unique qualities of the technology itself than by a complex interaction between the technology and the adopting organization. Edmonson suggests that "Those participating in an implementation effort may have considerable leeway in how to interpret the technology's benefits and challenges, and so the same technology can be seen differently and can elicit different responses, even in organizations that may appear quite similar (p. 35)."
Abstract This paper illustrates the current developments in the diagnosticimaging of malignant pleural mesothelioma, an aggressive form of malignancy in the pleura that often leads to death. Because of its gravity, there is a need for an effective imaging tool to help determine the tumor stage and extent, and to predict the prognostic outcomes of a chosen treatment . The author describes the disease and its histologic traits and also discusses past and current practices on diagnosticimaging such as the chest x-ray, computed tomographic scan, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography scan. The potential and limitations of these technologies are also analyzed. This paper includes an annotated bibliography.
Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
A Look into Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Recent Advances in Medical Imaging in the Diagnosis of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Computed Tomography Scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Positron Emission Tomography
Molecular Imaging Conclusion
From the Paper "The search for the most efficient, cost-effective imaging modality is still ongoing. Current modalities, CT Scan, MRI, and FDG-PET, have their own limitations as well as their advantages. It is only through research that the medical field may be able to utilize these existing technologies. The importance of early diagnosis through non-invasive means can not be emphasized enough. Because of the aggressive nature of malignant pleural mesothelioma, the use of these current modalities must be utilized as early as possible especially by people who are high risk."
Abstract This paper explores the chemical structure and clinical uses of technetium-based radio-pharmaceuticals which have since the 1970s, served as the mainstay for every hospital's nuclear medicine department. Today, fully 85% of all diagnostic scans in American hospitals use 99mTc in some chemical form. It includes a brief overview of several "technetium-essential" and "technetium-tagged" radio-pharmaceuticals, as well as a discussion of current areas of research and development for new technetium drugs.
From the Paper "Technetium-99m has several physical properties that make it ideal for use in nuclear medicine. Foremost among these is that Tc-99m generally emits only gamma rays. These gamma ray photons are of a high enough energy (140,000 eV) that they can easily pass through dense tissue and exit the body, but can be effectively stopped and detected by a special gamma camera. Other radionuclides generate alpha and/or beta particles, which are diagnostically useless since they lack the penetrating ability to exit the human body. Worse, the ionizing ability of these decay products can damage tissue."
Abstract This paper examines how nuclear medicine is a medical specialty that involves the use of radioactive isotopes in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. It looks at how positron emission tomography (PET) imaging is used extensively as diagnostic tool in the U.S. and Europe, but has limited availability in the U.K. It shows how the information obtained from these examinations can differentiate between different organs without the need for the patient to undergo surgical procedures. It also examines how, despite the long history of PET development, the costs and effectiveness of its use in routine clinical practice remain unknown. It reviews the relevant literature to determine whether PET imaging should be used more extensively in the U.K. instead of conventional nuclear medicine imaging.
From the Paper "These researchers report that despite the long history of PET development, the costs and effectiveness of its use in routine clinical practice remain virtually unknown. However, what is known is that the bottom line for these and other advances in medical technology is clinician and patient accessibility. According to Michael Johns, "Physicians who do not have access to or choose not to utilize cutting-edge technologies could potentially limit the care provided to their patients. But for many in the developing world, the cost of new equipment and materials continues to be prohibitive. Even in the West, both public and private insurance agencies take into account the cost of a test or therapy before deciding whether to pay for it" (2001, 132)."
Abstract This paper describes the acquisition history and business approach of Quest Diagnostics, the nation's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services. This paper is written from the perspective of an independent consultant hired to resolve conflicts and analyze team dynamics in the company. Some areas considered include work-group productivity, an expanded discussion of social influence within the organization, and the role of the individual and diversity. Additionally, Steven Covey's "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" are integrated into this paper. The author concludes that everything comes back to the strength of the organization, and the organization must be maintained and promoted as an overall priority for any firm.
Organizational Behavior-Quest Diagnostics Overview of the Paper
Work-Group Productivity
Social Influence
Individual Differences and Personality
The Habits of Effective People
Perception, Attribution and Motivation
High Performance, Effective and Ineffective Teams
Quality Management and Teamwork
Conclusion
People
Process
Professionalism
From the Paper "When discussing the dynamic of Work-Group Productivity, there are multiple facets of the dynamic itself to consider. Of course, the success of any group is only as good as its weakest member, but from another point of view, the old adage that two heads, or perhaps twenty heads, is better than one. American businesses, Quest among them, have long ago reached the conclusion that the ability to make important decisions is greatly enhanced by having a group of decision makers involved as opposed to one individual (Robbins, 2005). By having a group involved in decision making, the stress of the decisions is spread among many, removing from the equation the possibility of one figure head melting down in the face of the stress of making decisions all on their own. Beyond this, of course, the group is able to provide a great deal of different perspectives, attitudes, and experiences to the table, making it possible for the decisions to not only be made in a time effective way, but also in such a way that allows for high quality decisions that remove much of the possibility of error and poor judgment."
Comparing three articles - "I Want to Be Miss America" by Julie Alvarez; "My Inner Shrimp" by Garry Trudeau and "Victoria's Not-So-Secret Strategy" by Marisa Kula - which deal with how sociey has physical expectations of a person and beauty image.
Abstract Current society is one where body image or looks is central to self image. Movies, television, beauty products, diet programs and exercise programs are all reminders of this. Every person in society is haunted by the image of what they should look like. This paper focuses on three essays, each which argue something different about the impact of our need to look a certain way. Alverez's shows what happens when a person cannot obtain the ideal look society dictates. Trudeau's shows that even if the ideal is attained, the impact on the person lingers while also showing that it is not only an issue for women. Finally, Kula shows how companies like Victoria's Secret project these images and make profit by fooling women into believing they can be the ideal. This paper considers these essays and the impact of body image and shows how living up to an ideal set by society impacts on everyone's life, whether or not that ideal can be attained. The writer concludes that the end result of this is low self-esteem for all individuals, even if some of those ideals can be attained.
From the Paper "1. The Alvarez family's ritual of watching the Miss America pageant is so important to Alvarez and her sisters because it represents what they could be. The Alverez's come from a culture where women can only be wives and mothers. The Miss America pageant represents that in America, they can aspire to more than that. The Miss America pageant also represents what it means to be American, something the Alverez sisters are trying to find out so they can fit into their new environment."
Abstract This paper focuses on the representations of women's body image in the media and asks how these representations affect women's self-image and behavior.
From the Paper "The images of the media surround us constantly. According to Peach (1998): "We are exposed to over 2,000 ads a day, constituting perhaps the most powerful educational force in society. The average adult will spend one and a half years of his/her life watching television commercials". (p. 128). Leafing through the morning paper we unconsciously take in adverts and photographs. Going to work we pass billboards, signs on bus stations and busses, company logo's on clothing and merchandise. At home relaxing in front of the television we are bombarded by images. What are the main messages that are conveyed by this unstoppable deluge of the media?"
Abstract This paper discusses how the media can have negative effects on the body image of almost any individual, male or female. It further discusses how women are more prone to the effects of this kind of media image and reviews research that indicates, in its early stages, that these effects can be countered by intervention.
From the Paper "Every day the general public is subject to unrealistic body images portrayed by the media. On television, hypersexual teens worry more about losing their virginity than about a humongous pimple shining like a blinking beacon. In both print and electronic media, women with prominent collarbones and 15-inch waists advertise everything from fast food to pain- and weight loss medication, while men with "ripped" abs drink beer with their buddies in front of the television. In the movies, even the pets are beautiful and gaze at their perfect owners with love from the elegant couch in their perfectly maintained homes. How is the average individual supposed to compete with this flawless worldview? Does the average viewer compete with it at all or is it accepted as the depiction of the American dream?"
This paper highlights the advances in imaging technology that have allowed scientists to discover how memory works and the areas of the brain involved.
Abstract This paper looks at how the different advances in brain imaging-techniques have contributed to scientists increased ability to understand the concept of memory. It looks at the advent of Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and what they have meant to the increased ability to understand and treat brain, and memory disorders.
From the Paper "For example, fMRI was found useful for research by Awh and colleagues (1999) to observe brain activations during the performance of a spatial working memory task. In this investigation, subjects were given a spatial working memory task and a control task. Using fMRI the researchers found a functionally distinct, region that showed sustained activity during the spatial working memory task, confirming the location for the neural bases for that function. In the past, researchers who wanted detailed studies of human brain activity struggled because they lacked effective investigative tools. In experiments with humans the best technologies brought only limited success in mapping the processes of consciousness."
Abstract This paper analyzes the article, "Prejudice as Self-Image Maintenance: Affirming the Self Through Derogating Others," Fein and Spencer (1997) which illustrates how self-image maintenance processes facilitate prejudice and stereotyping and internalizes them in people. The writer shows that the most important message from this article is that we should be aware of the existence of these unconscious processes because it will be impossible to modify prejudiced behaviors unless we are aware of the processes.
From the Paper "Hate crimes are among the most serious problems in the United States. Hate crimes against victims? racial or ethnic origin, religious preference, and sexual orientation are most notorious, but the fact is that hate crimes target anybody based on any factor. Stereotyping and prejudice are the main causes of hate crimes and are deep-rooted and hard to modify. It appears that stereotyping and prejudice are not merely a product of accumulated historical issues but also a product of a psychological mechanism, which reinforces stereotyping and prejudice. In this article, "Prejudice as Self-Image Maintenance: Affirming the Self Through Derogating Others," Fein and Spencer (1997) discuss how self-image maintenance processes underlie stereotyping and prejudice."
Talks about the importance of medical imaging technology and how proper use of the technology is determined by proper understanding, guidance, and training.
Abstract This paper looks at the advances in medical imaging technology and how these advances have made it necessary to have university programs devoted entirely to medical imaging technology. The paper also looks at why this technology can so easily be used inappropriately and how focusing on its potential and promise can help solve this problem.
From the Paper "Technology and technology applications in the medical fields are proliferating faster than proverbial rabbits. The advances in digital transmission of data, together with application of MRI technology and micro circuitry have created opportunities for the medical profession to gain more accurate information, analysis, and prognoses than ever before. MRI machines produce images which are clearer, and virtually three dimensional for the medical staff to use to accumulate diagnostic information. In previous decades, developing the talents to read imaging devices was included in part of broader based medical disciplines. But today, universities have advanced BS and MS degrees in medical imaging technology."
Abstract This paper discusses what it means for humanity to have been created in the image of God. The paper explores the implications of this divine heritage, with emphasis given to the Christian texts, which portray Jesus as the redeemer of human kind.
From the Paper "In the book of Genesis, God completes his handiwork on earth with the proclamation: 'Let us make man after our own image after our likeness and let them have dominion'. The implications concerning a human creation that embodies the image of God are many..."
Tags: god, adam, jesus christ, redemption, image of man, man in god's image, genesis, corinthians, colossians
Abstract This paper explains that the image of God reflects civilizations. The author points out the relationship of the image of God to the media and technology. The paper examines the way devotional art has evolved over the ages.
From the Paper "The purpose of this paper is to discuss the images of God and how they have evolved over the ages and reflect the civilizations in which they were produced. Images of God and other devotional art deliberately appeal to the understanding and references of the times in which they are made; therefore, an image of God made in the Middle Ages would be consistently and considerably different than what would be produced today This has to do with both ..."
Abstract This paper discusses eating disorders, explaining that the concept of body image is an integral part of such disorders. There cannot be an eating disorder without body image disturbance. This paper begins by defining and making distinctions between anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge eating. Even though these three eating disorders are different they are all based in anorexia. In other words they are all centered on the pursuit of thinness.
