NEPA Vital Signs - Winter 2019 Spring 2020 - 21

WINTER 2019-2020

Feature

Then... and Now
T
HE DELIVERY OF MEDICAL CARE AND MEDICAL EDUCATION
HAS NOT BEEN IMMUNE TO THE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES THAT
HAVE OCCURRED OVER THE PAST FORTY YEARS. Having parents
that are both physicians, I have often wondered how their medical
education and experience in the clinic has changed compared to
my own. So I asked my father, an orthopedic surgeon, and my
mother, a family physician, to offer their opinion as to what they
consider to be the most significant transformation over time.

Dr. Theresa Dubbelman-Banas (a.k.a. Mom) notes that medical
management has transitioned from disease-centered treatment
to a more patient-centered approach. "A physician must not
only treat the disease, but also its impact on a family. Also,
the delivery of medical care is now more population based."
She also points out the stark contrast of how medical schools
disseminate information to their students. "When we were in
school, nine-to-five lectures were a daily occurrence, with several
students being hired to take detailed notes on lectures to later
distribute to the class." But the days of sitting in a lecture hall
from nine to five o'clock are now gone. Medical schools mainly
deliver material through recorded podcasts and upload them
online. Students can access these videos at their convenience,
but are urged to have the content viewed for interactive sessions
held at a later date.

Patients today, thanks to the internet, are
much more educated as to their diagnosis
and treatment plan. They are more informed
and more inclined to be an active player in
the management of their disease process.
Web-based sites also provide access to other
patients suffering their same plight, which
provides both solace and confidence in their
quest for good health.

Dr. Michael Banas (a.k.a. Dad) notes that electronic medical
records have dramatically improved coordination of patient care.
"In the past, care had to be centered around a paper record or
hospital chart in hand. Electronic records now provide seamless
communication between the physician, hospital, emergency room,
pharmacy and lab." He also pointed out the impact of technology on imaging studies. "I no longer have to search through the
radiology department to find a single x-ray. Computers provide
ease of access to patient radiographs and MRI studies from both
the office and remote sites. I can obtain a second opinion concerning a complex fracture in a matter of minutes."

treatment plan. They are more informed and more inclined to
be an active player in the management of their disease process.
Web-based sites also provide access to other patients suffering
their same plight, which provides both solace and confidence in
their quest for good health.

Both also note how medical education has changed throughout
Northeastern Pennsylvania, with the founding of Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine and several residency programs.
"Having a medical school in the area really benefits the medical
community. It brings bright minds from all over the country
to Northeastern Pennsylvania." Whereas local students in the
past had to travel hours away for medical education, they now
have the availability to learn the art and practice of medicine
closer to home.

Medicine and medical care has certainly changed, and for the
better, according to my parents. As I project forward, I can only
imagine the progression that will occur over the next forty years
to deeply impact medical care and education. I hope the changes
continually improve the quality of clinical and educational medicine, especially in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
BRIAN BANAS is a second year medical student at Geisinger
Commonwealth School of Medicine.

My parents applaud and embrace the above noted advancements. They also point out the fact that patients today, thanks to
the internet, are much more educated as to their diagnosis and
N E PA

VITAL SIGNS

NEPA Vital Signs - Winter 2019 Spring 2020

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