The Technology Explosion in Medical Science: Implications for the Health Care Industry and the Public (1981-2001)

The second annual Frank M. Norfleet Forum for the Advancement of Health was convened November 30, December 1 and 2, 1981 at The University of Tennessee Center for the Health Sciences, Memphis, Tennessee. The Norfleet Forum is a continuing series of discussions on issues related to national health policy and organization of health care at all levels. Application of the competitive model for containing costs and assuring high quality of medical care (1980 Forum) is jeopardized in part by rapid introduction of expensive medi­ cal technology. Decision-makers in business and industry, government and health care provider groups recognize the benefits of high technology and are reluctant to impose controls that might reduce the effective level of scientific creativity. And yet, some technologies are rushed into routine use before their efficacy and safety are assured, and without measuring the benefits to be achieved against the harsh reality of cost. In this volume, 11 of the worldls experts on technology issues summarize current ideas for understanding and coping with the technological imperative of the 1980s. James R. Gay, M.D.