Health technology is the application of organized knowledge and skills in the form of devices, medicines, vaccines, procedures and systems developed to solve a health problem and improve quality of life.* It is used interchangeably with ‘health care technology’.
Brief definition: An article, instrument, apparatus or machine that is used in the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of illness or disease, or for detecting, measuring, restoring, correcting or modifying the structure or function of the body for some health purpose. Typically, the purpose of a medical device is not achieved by pharmacological, immunological or metabolic means.*
For the full definition as finalized by the Global Harmonization Task Force in May 2012 and now under the archives of the International Medical Device Regulators Forum, please follow link below.
Medical equipment are defined as medical devices requiring calibration, maintenance, repair, user training and decommissioning – activities usually managed by clinical engineers.
Medical equipment is used for the specific purposes of diagnosis and treatment of disease or rehabilitation following disease or injury; it can be used either alone or in combination with any accessory, consumable or other piece of medical equipment. Medical equipment excludes implantable, disposable or single-use medical devices.
Plastic surgery deals with the repair, reconstruction, or replacement of physical defects of form or function involving the skin, musculoskeletal system, cranio and maxillofacial structures, hand, extremities, breast and trunk, and external genitalia. It uses aesthetic surgical principles not only to improve undesirable qualities of normal structures but in all reconstructive procedures as well.
Special knowledge and skill in the design and surgery of grafts, flaps, free tissue transfer and replantation is necessary. Competence in the management of complex wounds, the use of implantable materials, and tumor surgery is required. Plastic surgery has been prominent in the development of innovative techniques such as microvascular and cranio-maxillofacial surgery, liposuction, and tissue transfer. The foundation of surgical anatomy, physiology, pathology, and other basic sciences is fundamental to this specialty.
Competency in plastic surgery implies a special combination of basic knowledge, surgical judgment, technical expertise, ethics, and interpersonal skills in order to achieve satisfactory patient relationships and problem resolution.
Training in the specialty of plastic surgery deals with the resection, repair, replacement, and reconstruction of defects of form and function of the integument and its underlying anatomic systems, including the craniofacial structures, the oropharynx, the trunk, the extremities, the breast, and the perineum. It includes aesthetic (cosmetic) surgery of structures with undesirable form. Special knowledge and skill in the design and transfer of flaps, in the transplantation of tissues, and in the replantation of structures are vital to these ends, as is skill in excisional surgery, in management of complex wounds, and in the use of alloplastic materials. Residency training in plastic surgery is designed to educate and train physicians broadly in the art and science of plastic and reconstructive surgery and to develop a competent and responsible plastic surgeon with high moral and ethical character capable of functioning as an independent surgeon.
A variety of educational plans will produce the desired result.
All prerequisite residency training must be taken within programs accredited by the following organizations: the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or the American Dental Association.
The curriculum for residency training in plastic surgery is two years. A program may be accredited for more than two years (such as in the integrated model or the independent model using a three-year format) when it is demonstrated that there is a clear educational rationale – consonant with the program requirements for residency education in plastic surgery as set by the Residency Review Committee for Plastic Surgery – and the objectives for residency training cannot be met in a two-year curriculum or when the program director has delineated a program with special goals that exceed those goals defined in the program requirements.
Training models: The Residency Review Committee (RRC) for Plastic Surgery recognizes two training models, independent and integrated.
A. Independent model
In the independent model of training, residents complete two or three years of concentrated plastic surgery training, with no less than 12 months of senior/chief responsibility, after successful completion of one of the following prerequisite curricula:
A minimum of three years of clinical training with progressive responsibility in the same program in general surgery. Transitional year or rotating internships may not be used to fulfill this requirement.
B. Integrated model
In the integrated model, residents complete five or six years of ACGME-accredited plastic surgery training following receipt of an MD or DO degree from an institution accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). Graduates of schools of medicine from countries other than the United States or Canada must present evidence of final certification by the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).
The integrated curriculum must contain no less than five or six years of surgical training under the authority and direction of the plastic surgery program director.
Of these five or six years, no less than 24 months must be concentrated plastic surgery training with no less than 12 months of chief responsibility on the clinical service of plastic surgery. Residents must complete the last two years of their education in the same plastic surgery program.
The description of this surgical specialty was adapted from a description set forth by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).
Plastic Surgery as a Career
If you are seeking a life in surgery that is exciting, interesting, fulfilling, and diverse, plastic surgery would be an excellent career choice. From the tremendous variety of conditions that fall into the plastic surgeon’s area of treatment expertise, to the flexibility of professional lifestyle, plastic surgery offers practitioners lifelong satisfaction in the practice of surgery.
It is commonly perceived that plastic surgeons do nothing but cosmetic surgery. One of plastic surgery’s greatest attributes, however, is the breadth of conditions that fall into the area of treatment expertise of those in the field. These include congenital, acquired, and traumatic problems. In fact, the field of plastic surgery is so broad, that subspecialties exist within the specialty of plastic surgery, including cranio-maxillofacial surgery, microvascular surgery, hand surgery, and cosmetic surgery, just to name a few. Cranio-maxillofacial surgeons treat conditions involving the bones of the face and skull, and their associated soft tissue abnormalities such as cleft lip and palate. Microvascular surgeons move tissues from one area of the body to another and reestablish blood supply and innervation to this tissue using an operating microscope and sutures that are finer than human hair. Hand surgeons treat congenital, acquired, and traumatic musculoskeletal problems of the hand and upper extremity, employing both plastic and orthopaedic surgical techniques. Burn surgeons work as part of a large team that provides intensive care for burn-injured patients and treats both acute burn wounds and chronic scars. The goal of the cosmetic surgeon is to make changes in body shape or rejuvenate areas that have been affected by aging. A plastic surgeon can choose to limit a practice to one of these areas, or practice the entire scope of plastic surgery.
Although the field of plastic surgery is broad and challenging, it offers flexibility in lifestyle not found in other surgical specialties. A plastic surgeon can enjoy a thriving practice in either an academic or private-practice setting. The focus of the practice can be toward areas such as trauma, where the work can be exciting and unpredictable. Alternatively, it can be focused on elective surgery, such as breast reconstruction or cosmetic surgery, where the lifestyle can be more controlled. One may also choose to become active in academic research in plastic surgery, which is very active in institutions across the country and around the world.
Regardless of what type of practice a plastic surgeon pursues, those who choose plastic surgery as a career can rest assured that they will continue to encounter new challenges in a field that is always changing. They will be able to design a practice that fits in with their goals in life. And most importantly, they will enjoy the satisfaction of being able to help patients in very unique and diverse ways.
Ben M. Maser, MD, Associate Fellow Redwood City, CA
Magnesium, vitamin D, and potassium are just a few of the many supplements that may help lower high blood pressure.
Over 30% of the world’s population has high blood pressure, which is considered the leading modifiable risk factor for heart disease and early death .
Still, numerous strategies can help you reduce blood pressure, such as following a healthy diet, quitting smoking, cutting back on alcohol, exercising, and losing excess body fat.
What’s more, certain supplements have been shown to help reduce high blood pressure.
Here are 14 supplements that may help lower your blood pressure.
Magnesium is a mineral that’s critical for many bodily functions, including blood pressure regulation .
Studies show that magnesium supplements may help reduce blood pressure by increasing the production of nitric oxide — a signaling molecule that helps relax blood vessels.
A review of 11 randomized studies found that magnesium, taken at 365–450 mg per day over an average of 3.6 months, significantly reduced blood pressure in people with chronic medical conditions (5Trusted Source).
Another review of 10 studies in over 200,000 people suggested that greater dietary intake of magnesium may protect against high blood pressure in the first place. Every 100-mg daily increase in dietary magnesium was linked to a 5% reduction in high blood pressure risk (6Trusted Source).
Research shows that people with high blood pressure tend to have lower levels of vitamin D than those without this condition (7Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source).
Studies also demonstrate that higher blood levels of vitamin D may help protect against high blood pressure.
A review of data in over 300,00 people found that those with the highest vitamin D levels had up to a 30% reduced risk of high blood pressure, compared with those with the lowest levels (9Trusted Source, 10Trusted Source).
Thus, people with high blood pressure should get their vitamin D levels checked and supplement accordingly.
Supplements 101: Vitamin D
Supplements 101: Vitamin D
Watch this video to learn the benefits of vitamin D, plus information about downsides, how much you need, and foods that are rich in vitamin D.
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Several B vitamins may help reduce blood pressure levels.
For example, vitamin B2 (riboflavin) supplements have been shown to help reduce blood pressure in adults with methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene mutations, which make high blood pressure more likely (11Trusted Source, 12Trusted Source, 13Trusted Source).
Potassium works by promoting sodium excretion through the urine and helping blood vessels relax.
In a review of 23 studies, potassium supplements led to a modest but significant drop in blood pressure, compared with a placebo (18Trusted Source).
Other reviews note that these supplements are safe and effective, though they appear most effective in people with high blood pressure who follow high sodium diets (19Trusted Source, 21Trusted Source).
Coenzyme Q10 — commonly called CoQ10 — is a vitamin-like molecule that’s made by your body and found in certain foods (22Trusted Source).
When taken as a supplement, it may help reduce blood pressure.
A review of 17 studies found that CoQ10 supplements significantly reduced systolic blood pressure, which is the top number on a reading (23Trusted Source).
However, results from other studies are mixed. Thus, more research is needed (24Trusted Source).
L-arginine is an amino acid that may lower blood pressure levels when taken as a supplement.
An umbrella review of 7 meta-analyses in 4,676 people demonstrated that L-arginine supplements significantly reduced total blood pressure in people with high levels, as well as diastolic blood pressure in pregnant women with high levels (25Trusted Source).
Vitamin C is a water-soluble nutrient that your body needs for many important processes. Although study results are mixed, recent research suggests that vitamin C supplements may help lower blood pressure.
In a review of 8 studies in people with high blood pressure, taking 300–1,000 mg per day of vitamin C significantly reduced their levels (26Trusted Source).
Research also suggests that people with low blood levels of this vitamin have a higher risk of high blood pressure than those with optimal vitamin C levels (27Trusted Source).
Athletes often take beetroot supplements to bolster exercise performance because this root vegetable improves blood flow and oxygen delivery to your muscles (28Trusted Source).
Interestingly, beetroot supplements have been shown to reduce blood pressure in people with and without high blood pressure (28Trusted Source, 29Trusted Source).
For example, a review of 11 studies revealed that beetroot juice lowered blood pressure levels in people with and without this condition (30Trusted Source).
Garlic is linked to a variety of benefits, including reduced blood pressure and heart disease risk (31Trusted Source).
Adding a garlic supplement to your routine may help lower your blood pressure naturally. In fact, in a review of 12 studies, garlic supplements reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure by an average of 8.3 mmHg and 5.5 mmHg, respectively (32Trusted Source).
The researchers estimated that this reduction may help decrease your risk of stroke, heart attack, and coronary artery disease by up to 40% (32).
Fish oil may improve heart health by reducing blood lipid levels, inflammation, and high blood pressure. Studies show that those with high blood pressure may benefit from high-dose fish oil supplements (33Trusted Source).
In one review, taking the omega-3 fats EPA and DHA, including fish oil supplements, led to significant 4.51 and 3.05 mmHg reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively, in people with high blood pressure who weren’t on medications (34Trusted Source).
What’s more, research notes higher blood levels of omega-3s may protect against high blood pressure (35Trusted Source).
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria naturally found in your gut. Supplements containing these bacteria are linked to numerous health benefits, including lower blood pressure.
However, the researchers noted that treatment was more effective when multiple strains of probiotics were taken, the supplements were taken for 8 weeks or longer, and the daily dose was greater than 10 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) (36Trusted Source).
Notably, another review found that probiotic supplements significantly reduced blood pressure in people with high levels, compared with control groups (37Trusted Source).
Melatonin is a hormone made by your body that you can also take as a supplement. Although these supplements are popularly used to promote sleep, they’re associated with other health benefits as well.
For example, studies show that melatonin supplements may reduce blood pressure in people with high levels.
A review of 5 studies linked melatonin supplements to significant reductions in blood pressure levels, compared with control groups (38Trusted Source).
Another study suggested that low melatonin production may be a risk factor for high blood pressure in women (39Trusted Source).
Green tea is associated with a variety of impressive health benefits, including healthy blood pressure levels (40Trusted Source).
A review of 24 studies showed that taking green tea supplements or drinking green tea for 3–16 weeks significantly reduced blood pressure in people with and without high levels (41Trusted Source).
Although these results are promising, larger, long-term studies are necessary.
Research suggests that high-dose ginger supplements may help lower high blood pressure.
A review of 6 studies found that, when taken in doses of 3 grams or more per day for 8 weeks or fewer, ginger supplements significantly reduced blood pressure in people 50 years old and younger (42Trusted Source).
In a 12-week study in 37 people with metabolic syndrome — a group of conditions that raise heart disease risk — taking 2 grams of ginger powder per day significantly lowered levels of blood pressure, triglycerides, and fasting blood sugar, compared with a placebo (43Trusted Source).
While several supplements may lower blood pressure levels, it doesn’t mean that every supplement is safe.
It’s important to know that many supplements may interact with common drugs, including blood pressure medication (44Trusted Source, 45Trusted Source).
What’s more, while taking too little of a supplement may be ineffective for reducing blood pressure, taking too much may result in serious side effects.
Thus, you should always consult your healthcare provider before adding any supplement to your routine. Your healthcare provider can help you determine a safe and effective dose based on your needs.
Additionally, it’s important to choose a high quality brand. When possible, purchase supplements that have undergone third-party testing for purity by organizations like United States Pharmacopeia (USP) or NSF International.
