TABLE 2.
Assumptions underlying the desirability of health technologies
| Health technologies | Where their desirability lies | |
|---|---|---|
| What they do | What these actions imply | |
| Screening tests | Provide information that requires a confirming procedure or test (diagnostic) | Information is valuable in itself and/or it leads to a diagnosis in a timely manner |
| Diagnostic tests and imaging devices | Provide information about the presence/absence of disease | Information is valuable in itself and/or it leads to an appropriate and timely action vis-à-vis disease |
| Monitoring systems | Provide information about various vital bodily functions, psychosocial well-being and compliance with treatments | Interpretation of the data is reliable and leads to its being acted upon in an appropriate manner; continuous surveillance does not alter identity and behaviour |
| Implants | Restore (temporarily) bodily functions (e.g., cardiac function, hearing) | Long-term risks, decreased quality of life and identity alteration are acceptable to the patient |
| Surgery and therapeutic devices | Stop or delay the pathological process and reduce symptoms | Risks, invasiveness and consequences are acceptable to the patient |
| Palliative technologies | Substitute (temporarily) natural bodily functions (e.g., breathing, nutrition, cardiac function) | Sustaining life when quality is compromised is valuable |
| Drugs | Stop or delay the pathological process; reduce symptoms | Side effects and decreased quality of life are acceptable to the patient |
| Health promotion technologies | Promote/discourage lifestyles and behaviour; protect from or reduce harm associated with risky practices (e.g., drugs, sexuality, sports) | Alteration of practices, identity and peer recognition are acceptable/meaningful to the individual/group |
| Occupational health technologies | Protect workers' health; promote/discourage work-related behaviour affecting health | Overall quality of work conditions and alteration of practices, identity and peer recognition are acceptable/meaningful to the individual/group |
| Technical aids | Facilitate autonomy, mobility and social integration | Aids are user-friendly and help overcome the social barriers associated with the disability |
| Information technologies | Record, archive, transmit and provide access to administrative and clinical information | Access to and use of information respect confidentiality and bring efficiency and quality to healthcare |