'Bionic Woman,' a high-tech remake of the 70s television hit, is one of NBC's hot offerings for the fall lineup. The story follows Jaime Sommers, a struggling bartender who barely survives a devastating car accident. When she wakes up with bionic limbs and extraordinary strength, she must come to terms with her new life, made possible with medical advancements.
While the fantastic storyline behind 'Bionic Woman' may be more fiction than fact, scientists and medical professionals currently work on the cutting edge of technology to return function and mobility to people who have suffered accidents or birth defects. These everyday miracles give patients and those planning a career in health care hope for the future, as previously unheard-of techniques and technologies come into practice.
- Real-Life Bionic Medical Achievements
- Scientists and engineers at German automation company Festo have created a bionic arm using a combination of artificial bones, joints, and muscles. Using a technology called "fluidic muscle," it is possible to precisely control the arm using air pressure.
Use a Degree in Health Care to Help Others
Children and adults suffering from accidents or birth defects that have left them without function in their limbs require caring attention from trained experts with medical degrees and training. From diagnosis, to treatment, to physical and mental therapy, medical professionals are necessary for every stage of recovery.
- Real-Life Bionic Medical Achievements
- Bioartificial liver-assist devices are growing more sophisticated and efficient, thanks to some Ohio State medical researchers. Andre Palmer and his team are developing innovative ways to more effectively deliver oxygen to the artificial liver cells.
Surprising Careers in the Health Care Industry
Working adults may wonder about the time and financial commitments required to obtain a degree in health care. For those who already have a full-time job or a hectic home life, a career in health care is very obtainable. Not only is it possible to earn a health care degree online, a number of medical careers exist which require a significantly lower time and financial commitment. Here are a few:
- Physical therapist assistant: Works with patients under the direction of a physical therapist. Physical therapist assistant training generally takes two years.
- Counselor: Works with children or adults who have experienced traumatic situations. Some social worker and behavioral disorder counselor positions are possible with two-year associate's degrees in sociology or psychology.
- Clinical laboratory scientist: Works from the technical aspect of healthcare in labs, clinics, hospitals, and research facilities. Two-year programs are available in a number of medical specializations.
Students who choose to complete an online degree in health care may even be able to keep their current jobs, fitting in educational responsibilities without making significant changes to daily life. Additionally, students may choose to pursue higher levels of education after graduating with a two-year degree or certificate and securing a career in healthcare while they continue their study.
- Real-Life Bionic Medical Achievements
- Scientists have found ways to connect prosthetic limbs with a patient's nervous system, allowing them to send signals from the brain to the artificial arm or leg. Soldiers injured in Iraq and Afghanistan have been the first patients to benefit from this new technology, and 65 of them have returned to active duty.
For students who are willing to make the time commitment, master's and doctoral degrees are available online in a range of subjects. Additionally, online nursing school is becoming increasingly popular, as traditional brick-and-mortar schools run low on space to instruct potential students.
Nursing Careers in High Demand
At the front lines of any medical crisis, nurses provide the skill and expertise patients and doctors need to work together. A shortage in nurses has caused demand for trained professionals to skyrocket in the past few years. Training online for a nursing career offers students the convenience of online coursework without the hassle of rescheduling an already busy life. Potential students should research accredited online nursing schools.
The medical technology used on 'Bionic Woman' may still be a few years away, but health care workers in all areas of the industry use their training, skills, and expertise to help patients heal. Exciting, high-tech medical careers provide a constant challenge and reward, as more patients get a second chance at a fully-mobile life.
