Principles And Problems Of Technology Assessment; The Case Of Picture Archiving And Communication Systems

This paper discusses some of the key conceptual issues underlying technology assessment, particularly as related to PACS technology. Basic issues of technology assessment such as efficacy, effectiveness, and efficiency, as well as the assessment objectives relating to the adoption, abandonment and appropriateness of technology, are presented and related to the needs of hospital management and medical imaging professionals. The example of PACS technology is used to illustrate the special needs in the general technology assessment methodology which are imposed when evaluating diagnostic imaging systems.