Medical Milestones
From 5-14 January 2007 we conducted an online poll to decide the most important medical advance since 1840. From a list initially suggested by our readers, an expert panel chose the top 15, which formed the basis for the vote. We also published a supplement, where champions argued the merits of each individual advance.
Sanitation emerged as the winner.
Watch the webcast announcing the result
Results of poll
|
Most important advance | ||
|
|
Number |
Proportion (%) |
|
Anaesthesia |
1574 |
13.9 |
|
Antibiotics |
1642 | |
|
Chlorpromazine |
73 | |
|
Computers |
405 | |
|
Discovery of DNA structure |
1000 | |
|
Evidence-based medicine |
636 | |
|
Germ theory |
843 | |
|
Immunology |
182 | |
|
Medical imaging (x-rays, etc.) |
471 | |
|
Oral contraceptive pill |
842 | |
|
Oral rehydration therapy |
308 | |
|
Risks of smoking |
183 | |
|
Sanitation |
1795 |
|
|
Tissue culture |
50 | |
|
Vaccines |
1337 | |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Respondents |
11341 | |
|
Visitor category | ||
|
|
Number |
Proportion (%) |
|
Doctor |
3198 |
|
|
Nurse/midwife |
330 | |
|
Other healthcare professional |
677 | |
|
Academic researcher |
1144 | |
|
Public health/Health policy |
487 | |
|
Student |
1582 | |
|
Librarian/Information specialist |
188 | |
|
Education |
462 | |
|
Industry |
437 | |
|
Member of the public |
2438 | |
|
Press/media |
220 | |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Respondents |
11163 | |
|
Country |
| |
|
|
Number |
Proportion (%) |
|
Australia |
315 | |
|
Bulgaria |
573 | |
|
Canada |
604 | |
|
Germany |
200 | |
|
India |
256 | |
|
Italy |
547 | |
|
Spain |
324 | |
|
United Kingdom |
4281 |
|
|
United States |
2270 | |
|
Other countries |
1992 | |
|
|
|
|
|
Total respondents |
11362 | |
Publication of this online supplement is made possible by an educational grant from AstraZeneca