In this issue

There are many lessons that the havoc of 2020 taught us. For the medical industry, one of the most prominent may have been the potential that technology has to help practitioners treat patients in a myriad of locations and environments. So, as we look ahead to 2021 it's important that this foundation of connectivity continues to inspire innovation over the coming 12 months.

With that in mind, in this new issue of Medical Technology we turn our attention to those that man the frontline of emergency healthcare: paramedics. Even the most skilled first responder is only as good as the tools they have at their disposal, so it should come as no shock that researchers have been working to improve and optimise the life saving equipment paramedics use. We explore what the future paramedic toolkit could look like.

On the subject of upgrading medical technology, we investigate why the otherwise outdated pager remains the communications tool of choice for hospitals despite a whole host of alternative, more advanced devices, which have found popularity across industry.

Also in this issue, we explore Scotland's future as a device manufacturing powerhouse, examine an erectile dysfunction device that works with the natural physiology of an erection, and find out how virtual reality is helping to measure the emotional responses of patients undergoing mental health treatments.

For all this and more, read on.

Eloise Mclennan, editor