Efficacy may be defined simply as the health benefit to be derived from the use of
technology or how effective a giving technology is in diagnosing or treating a
condition. If a product or service produces some health benefits, it can be
considered efficacious or effective.
Discuss the following questions:
What is the likelihood that a different procedure would result in a better
diagnosis?
If the problem is more accurately diagnosed, what is the likelihood of a better
cure?
Answer:
HTA or Health technology assessment is the evaluation of medical technology to
determine its efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness. The main objective is to
establish the appropriateness of medical technology for widespread use. This
assessment is essential because many technologies have not produced any health
benefits and some may even be harmful (Shi & Singh, 2019). Value can be
increased by improving quality, the problem is that insured patients want to use
all available medical resources; regardless of the actual health benefit in relation
to the cost. Some physicians are put in a tricky situation when they withhold
treatment because of its cost inefficiency. The same can be said when a patient
has been prescribed medication and later finds out that it costs a lot of money.
Even though the doctor was prescribing the best treatment option. The insurance
companies then get blamed for being uncaring when they refuse the delivery of
medical care because of costs. In the United States, cost-effectiveness is the main
concern when it comes to health care delivery. Technology has the potential to
not only enhance health benefits.
Shi, L., & Singh, D. A. (2019). Chapter 5- Technology and Its Effects. In Essentials
of the U.S. health care system (Fifth ed., pp. 101-125). Burlington, MA, MA: Jones
& Bartlett Learning.
reduce costs. However, the issue of reducing costs by sacrificing quality must
influence change (Shi & Singh, 2019).
