How do you get a patent for an idea?

• medical laboratory technology
• doctor job description

I have an idea that could possibly be pretty useful. It has to do with computers and tech, however I have no experience in building technology. I also do not have the exact layouts. Can I just patent an idea? Or do I actually have to invent and build the item or draw the blueprint for the item?


If I can just patent an idea, how would I go about doing so? Do I just write it down on a piece of paper in great detail?


If the United States and Canadian patent offices are different, please explain the difference.

How do you get a patent for an idea?