The following is a paid review.

Doctors can only treat problems effectively if they have the correct information in hand. Diagnostic tools such as medical imaging play a significant role in modern medicine. The advancement in this field has taken the out the guesswork and trial and error of diagnosing problems of patients. Now, surgeons can determine with pinpoint accuracy anomalies that are not normally detected through external examination.

Gone are the days when one or two units of imaging equipment are shared among multiple specialties in a medical facility. Now there is available dedicated equipment for different specialties such as thoracic radiology and musculoskeletal radiology. These different units are built and tuned for the diagnosis of a particular anatomy and problem.

Medicexchange.com is one portal that provides imaging solutions to radiologists, technicians and allied health staff to discover, evaluate and purchase the latest medical imaging solutions has to offer. This content-rich site has a forum for exchanging experience and an extensive archive of clinical information and news.

There is a comprehensive list of solutions for various radiology modalities. From X-ray to MRI and PET, medical professionals are assured of a software or hardware that is suited to their needs. This one-stop site is a must-visit for medical professionals looking for total medical imaging solutions or just for upgrading their knowledge on the latest news and information.

The general perception of wheelchair users is that we are people with chronic medical conditions. In short, we are considered patients. That is furthest away from the truth. Wheelchair users are people who employ a different mode of mobility. Instead of using our legs to walk, we move around on wheelchairs. That is the only stark difference.

There have been cases where wheelchair users accompanying friends to hospitals were misconstrued by the nurses and doctors as people seeking medical attention. Likewise, I have experienced the same dilemma when accompanying my late mother to the hospital for her checkups.

While this is not a major issue, it is discomforting that society at large still sees wheelchair users with such mindsets. At a recent meeting regarding accessible public transport, there were suggestions to request for bus routes to specifically serve institutions for disabled persons and hospitals.

That is another misconception. Not all disabled persons live in institutions. Many live in the community. That is how it should be. At the same time, accessible buses should not only serve routes to hospitals. That should not be a priority but included as one of the routes.

True, many need to go to hospitals for regular checkups but that is not a major activity for disabled persons. It is more important that we are able to commute to work or school conveniently. Additionally, we also like to enjoy leisure activities such as trips to the malls or parks.

There are still a lot of misconceptions regarding disabilities and disabled persons. It is not totally the fault of society. Disabled persons themselves are the best advocate of change in such matters. By living in the community, we can gradually eliminate fallacies, build bridges and create an inclusive society where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

*This entry first appeared in Monster Blog on October 3, 2006.