Document Detail


The state of the art versus the state of the science. The diffusion of new medical technologies into practice.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  10287114     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
This paper offers a theory to explain the diffusion of new medical technologies into local practice. Based on several hundred interviews with community hospital physicians, it anchors technology decisions in the norms and relationships of local practice. Physician descriptions of their use of different types of assessment information provide insight into the way in which local consenses on appropriate practice are formed, guide behavior, and change. To understand new technology adoption, it is necessary to (a) differentiate "formed" (complete) and "dynamic" (still developing) technologies, and (b) appreciate the extent to which medical practice is locally organized. Concepts from organizational literature, then, become useful in explaining the penetration of these medical communities and the circumstances under which a new modality takes hold in them. Within the framework presented, previously puzzling findings regarding variations in local practice and the poor relationship between practice behavior and the published literature become understandable.
Authors:
A L Greer
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.    
Journal Detail:
Title:  International journal of technology assessment in health care     Volume:  4     ISSN:  0266-4623     ISO Abbreviation:  Int J Technol Assess Health Care     Publication Date:  1988  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1988-06-15     Completed Date:  1988-06-15     Revised Date:  2009-11-19    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8508113     Medline TA:  Int J Technol Assess Health Care     Country:  ENGLAND    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  5-26     Citation Subset:  H    
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Attitude of Health Personnel*
Canada
Communication*
Diffusion of Innovation*
England
Hospitals, Community
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Medicine
Philosophy, Medical*
Physician's Practice Patterns*
Specialization
Technology Assessment, Biomedical*
United States
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
1 FO6 TWO 00986-01/TW/FIC NIH HHS; R01 HS 03238888-01A1/HS/AHRQ HHS

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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