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Technology Assessment

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Epidemiology and the Delivery of Health Care Services

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Abstract

With the continuous emergence of complex and expensive technologies for use in health care, how do health care managers decide which to support and which to reject. Technology assessment aids in that decision making. The assessment process considers technical characteristics of a new technology, as well as the clinical, economic, and social endpoints (Fuchs and Garber, 1990). Epidemiologic concepts and methods are utilized in technology assessment in determining the safety, clinical efficacy, and cost-effectiveness. Technology assessment can only be adequately performed with a thorough understanding of epidemiologic concepts. Specifically familiarity with study design, measures of effect, and statistical analyses for determining the significance of effect are required to assess a technology. This chapter describes the major components of technology assessment and the use of epidemiologic tools in that process. Case studies at the end of the chapter allow practice in the application of epidemiologic concepts and methods used in performing technology assessment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Technology Assessment Program, University Hospital Consortium, Clinical Practice Advancement Center, Oak Brook, Illinois, 60521, USA

    Karl A. Matuszewski

  2. Department of Health Systems Management, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois, 60612, USA

    Karl A. Matuszewski

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  1. Karl A. Matuszewski
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  1. Rush University, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Denise M. Oleske

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© 1995 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Matuszewski, K.A. (1995). Technology Assessment. In: Oleske, D.M. (eds) Epidemiology and the Delivery of Health Care Services. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-1839-6_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-1839-6_7

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