Modernity and its effects on over-medication in health care
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Chris Trzepacz, PhD
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
As America’s self-destructive culture of instant gratification begins to bleed into every aspect of daily life, it is no surprise that our healthcare and sense of well-being has also shown worrisome signs of being swallowed by the impulse to medicate and forget by excuse of science. Instead of treating drugs as a chemical last resort, ignorance and the cultural phenomenon of the modern age has caused many Americans to take a startling turn towards over-medication in a way that is not only potentially harmful for their health, but is also proving to be a significant detriment to current medical practices.
My thesis evaluates the ever-changing field of medicine and how the modernization of public health has caused a detrimental effect on how medicine is now practiced. While the modern age has provided many superior technical advancements, its influence has also negatively affected how people take advantage of their personal health care. With people constantly sifting through the data explosion of medical information—correct or incorrect—now available at their fingertips, business-dominated models ranking efficiency and profit over holistic patient care, and the forever looming threat of malpractice lawsuits and its resulting practice of defensive medicine, it is no wonder over-medication has become a rising concern in healthcare. The evolution of modern technology has been so quick and progressive that many people have become complacent about their health and have begun to use these means in a way that the healthcare system needs to adapt to for better patient care.
Location
Large Ballroom, Curris Center
Start Date
April 2016
End Date
April 2016
Affiliations
Honors Thesis
Modernity and its effects on over-medication in health care
Large Ballroom, Curris Center
As America’s self-destructive culture of instant gratification begins to bleed into every aspect of daily life, it is no surprise that our healthcare and sense of well-being has also shown worrisome signs of being swallowed by the impulse to medicate and forget by excuse of science. Instead of treating drugs as a chemical last resort, ignorance and the cultural phenomenon of the modern age has caused many Americans to take a startling turn towards over-medication in a way that is not only potentially harmful for their health, but is also proving to be a significant detriment to current medical practices.
My thesis evaluates the ever-changing field of medicine and how the modernization of public health has caused a detrimental effect on how medicine is now practiced. While the modern age has provided many superior technical advancements, its influence has also negatively affected how people take advantage of their personal health care. With people constantly sifting through the data explosion of medical information—correct or incorrect—now available at their fingertips, business-dominated models ranking efficiency and profit over holistic patient care, and the forever looming threat of malpractice lawsuits and its resulting practice of defensive medicine, it is no wonder over-medication has become a rising concern in healthcare. The evolution of modern technology has been so quick and progressive that many people have become complacent about their health and have begun to use these means in a way that the healthcare system needs to adapt to for better patient care.