Health care technical service in developing countries: Brazil

A comparison between the clinical engineering situation in Brazil and that found in some industrialized nations (including the US, Canada, and the UK) is drawn, highlighting possible future developments regarding health care technical service (HCTS) policy, human resources, and technology development. As a background, Brazil's economic development since 1960 is summarized. The Brazilian health care system is then described, and the characteristics of the Unified and Decentralized Health System (SUDS) established by the new constitution promulgated in 1988 are examined. HCTS development and medical products and standardization are described. Debt and policy considerations toward a clinical engineering model with SUDS are discussed. Short-term implementation of decentralized HCTS, as promoted by SUDS, is addressed. The role of appropriate technology and the potential impact of international policy supporting HCTS R&D are examined.<
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