Expertise

It is worthwhile to remember that technology is nothing but a tool for the delivery of care to patients, much like hand tools used by construction workers to build or renovate dwellings as shown on the figure to the left.  This highlights the point that technology must be selected properly, and used correctly and judiciously to ensure the needs of and benefits for all the stakeholders (clinicians, healthcare organization leaders, regulatory agencies, health insurers and financing agencies, producers, etc.) are properly considered, as well as the impacts of those technologies on the patients, users, infrastructure, finances, and the environment.

It is also important to remind all that each stakeholder has a different perspective on technology lifecycle.  The figure below shows two different perspectives: user’s and producer’s.  Understanding such differences helps each stakeholder to appreciate the need to accommodate the interests of all those involved and often some compromises are necessary in order to achieve a harmonious existence for all.