Everything medical physicists always wanted to know about appropriate technology but were afraid to ask

Abstract

Abstract. The concept of appropriate technology in the health field is full of misconceptions. The first one is to equate machines with technology. Even though the evolution of medical equipment has influenced the development of health technologies, the concept of health technology is much broader. Yet, equipment does drive technology. Another misconception is the belief that appropriate technology is technology for developing countries. Although simplified systems have been developed for these countries, the whole world has limited health resources and is constantly struggling with the challenge of how to manage health-care delivery in health conditions of resource constraint. Thus, it is essential that any new technology should be evaluated before it is placed in clinical use. The process is called "health technology assessment" (HTA) and it consists of a multidisciplinary activity that systematically examines the safety, clinical efficacy and effectiveness, cost, cost-effectiveness, organizational implications, social consequences, and the legal and ethical considerations of the application of a health technology. Once it has been decided that a particular technology is appropriate for an industrialized country, it should be assessed whether the process can be transferred to a developing country, using guidance from HTA agencies. Medical physicists should have a prominent role in advising governments whether a particular health technology is appropriate for a particular medical facility.