Balancing innovative medical devices with public health policies

Sir,

Read your article titled “Optimizing use of innovative medical devices in the family medicine and primary care settings” and found its very interesting.[1] I agree with the author that a primary care physician should master technology and not become merely its servant. The author rightly points out that point of care tests, digital imaging tools and other portable devices are giving new horizons to our health care system. It is important that proper training and knowledge should be given to physicians and nurses before giving these devices to them so that they can use this technology to fullest and benefit community. Utilization of innovative medical devices should be based on applicability in particular area as need of both urban and rural area are always varies similarly manpower or human resource posted at these places also differ in their approach so attention should be given to these areas as well.

The author correctly mentions that as a health care team we need to see other parameters as well before adopting any newer techniques. There are always industry profits which prevail before introducing any innovative medical device, a health care team needs to rethink about pros and cons of newer methods. Diagnostic accuracy and cost effectiveness studies should be done before endorsing such techniques. Government has given guidelines for development of medical devices, its complete development process, rational and evaluation as well under National Medical Device policy.[2] Even our Anganwadi worker is using tablets and entering all relevant information into poshan tracker since 2021.[3] This step was welcomed by AWWs and community as well as it gives real time tracking of malnourishment in community. Even ASHAs are using digital blood pressure and digital glucometre in field and helping community in coming out of non-communicable disease burden but study by Bassi A et al. also mentions that long-term sustainability and cost effectiveness should be checked in long term.[4]

This technology is very helpful when we are in tribal or hilly area and struggling with difficult terrain and very les resources. For effective utilization, other basic things should be supplied like uninterrupted internet services and electricity. Hameed S.S. et al.[5] in their systematic review also brings out that trust, data accuracy, privacy and security are the issues that also need attention before embarking on newer technological advancements in health sector.

List of abbreviations

Abbreviation	Definition
AWW	Anganwadi workers
ASHA	Accredited Social Health Activists

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Funding Statement

Nil.