There is much electronic technology within the work places nowadays.  The advances is technology and medicine within hospitals over the last 50 years have made it possible to treat problems and in some cases prolong life.  The introduction of x-ray machines many years ago made it possible for doctors to diagnose symptoms such as chest infections, broken bones and torn ligaments.  The introduction of computers and MRI scanning meant that a patient could receive a more accurate diagnosis.  For example and MRI scan is a far more detailed scan than that of an x-ray.  X-rays are necessary for some things and not others and MRI scans are the same.  Any patient having an MRI scan will be asked a series of questions to ensure that they have no metal in them.  If the patient is suspected of having metal in the eye then an plain x-ray will be performed first before the patient is allowed into the scanner.  The reason for this is that the scanner is magnetic.

Ultrasound sounds were unheard of 50 years ago, if a pregnant lady was thought to have a problem then an x-ray would be performed.  The only problem with x-rays is that for each one the patient receives a high dose of radiation which is not good for the patient or the baby.  Ultrasounds are not thought to be harmful to patient or baby and this was certainly a break through in technology.  CT scanning also offers high quality scans but again this involves a high dose of radiation, although with CT scanning the procedure is a much shorter one than the one performed on the MRI scanner.  An MRI requires the patient to keep very still.  If a patient was referred by someone in orthopaedics (Orthopäde) for suspected (arthrosis) Arthrose for an MRI scan and they were to be having a scan of their lumbar spine.  A lumbar spine scan would be classed as a one area scan therefore the patient would be on the scanner for around 30 minutes and be required to be still for 30 minutes.  Patient movement often distorts the quality of the scans.

Computers within the offices of hospitals have also been a major breakthrough, as appointments and letters for patients can be generated from a standard letter and a database, thus saving the secretary an enormous amount of time.