| The diffusion of medical techniques to less developed countries. | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 114497 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
This paper describes a study of the extent to which a set of eight modern medical techniques had been introduced in less developed countries in 1977. The results are presented for each country and related to the characteristics of the country. Many very poor countries were found to have introduced many very recent techniques. The reasons for this are discussed, and appropriate questions to be asked about any new technique are suggested. The attempt was made to investigate which of a set of recent innovations in medical technology had been introduced in less developed countries. The medical techniques included were required to satisfy a number of criteria. Of most interst were those techniques with substantial resource implications and those which were relatively recent. The techniques selected were ultrasonic fetal examination, fiberoptic endoscopy, cardiac catheterization, computerized axial tomography, renal dialysis, cobalt isotopes for radiotherapy, open-heart surgery, and laser beam therapy. The data show that many very poor countries have many very recent medical techniques. Relatively few of the less developed countries have none of the techniques studied, and 3 of the 40 countries had all of them. The study shows the extent to which less developed countries lack medical techniques which are widely available in industrialized countries, illustating the disparity of medical standards in the world. Yet the results also suggest extremely rapid diffusion of medical technology. Several factors may account for the rapid diffusion of medical techniques to less developed countries: medical education may continue to be oriented toward industrialized countries and may concentrate attention on the latest techniques; the pattern of migration of physicians may mean that many physicians in a less developed country have practiced or are aiming to practice in an industrialized country; and overseas aid programs may have been biased toward the visible and prestigious item of advanced machinery and toward training physicians from less developed countries in industrialized countries where the latest techniques are emphasized. |
| | |
Authors:
|
D Piachaud |
Related Documents
:
|
1746037 - Value of fibreoptic oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy: experience with 4000 procedures at k... 16212147 - Principles and process in the development of the mayo clinic's individual and instituti... 11403657 - Progress and future perspectives in mechanical circulatory support. 8363327 - Significance of assisted reproductive technology for other areas of medicine. 10130457 - Ahra survey. staff utilization: part iii. 7260817 - Treatment approach in a child with hysterical seizures superimposed on partial complex ... |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: International journal of health services : planning, administration, evaluation Volume: 9 ISSN: 0020-7314 ISO Abbreviation: Int J Health Serv Publication Date: 1979 |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 1979-12-29 Completed Date: 1979-12-29 Revised Date: 2002-10-04 |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 1305035 Medline TA: Int J Health Serv Country: UNITED STATES |
Other Details:
|
Languages: eng Pagination: 629-43 Citation Subset: IM; J |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
Developing Countries* Economics, Medical Health Expenditures Health Resources / supply & distribution* Technology, Medical* / economics |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: Transformation of feline embryo cells in culture by a chemical carcinogen.
Next Document: Acute zinc depletion syndrome during parenteral hyperalimentation.