Since the 1950s, people have turned to the computer for help in solving problems. As more organizations bring computers into workplace, more people become exposed to what computers can do and acquire more computer skills. As early as elementary school, children are using computers to write stories and do math. As a result, computers influence the way many people think about and approach problems. The average people depend on, are served by, or actually operate some type of computer several times each day (Carrol, 1989).
Medical researchers use computer imaging to graphically display the expected results of a specific procedure. Doctors can combine data and images into a 3-dimensional graphic. This can aid them in simulating the best procedures to use in a delicate surgery.
It has been estimated that at present almost 15% of the physicians are using Personal Digital Assistant for medical information and by the year 2004 it has been predicted that the number of physicians relying on Personal Digital Assistants will rise by 20% (Fisher and Wang, 2000).
Personal Digital Assistant or PDA is a small computer, which can easily fit into the pocket and uses a pen or electronic stylus rather than a keyboard for input. The monitor is small and the only apparent form of output. Tremendous capabilities are hidden in this personal digital assistant, however. It can recognize hand-printed text, storing it as a business letter, note or other document. Rough sketches can be converted to more precise graphic output, such as charts and diagrams. Basic mathematics problems such as addition and multiplication are calculated when the problem is written on screen (Freudenrich).
Use of computers in Medical Imaging:
The techniques of computer imaging were started to implement in healthcare in 1972 when Godfrey Hounsfield had invented the first Computed Tomography Scanner, often.....
