The Role Of Technology In The Cost Of Health Care: A New Parameter In Research And Clinical Applications

In 1993 the National Science Foundation (NSF) and The Whitaker Foundation (WF) jointly supported an experimental initiative entitled "Cost Effective Health Care Technologies". The broad goal of the 1993 program was to "promote innovative multidisciplinary research that can contribute to the containment or reduction of health costs without compromising the quality, effectiveness or accessibility of the health care system".1 Proposals were required to contain a section which "describes as quantitatively as possible" the expected impact of the research results on the cost-effectiveness goal of the program - a new parameter for research methodologies. Twelve projects in the categories of Information and Systems, Medical Devices, and Bioniaterials were funded. A modified program, "Cost Reducing Health Care Technologies", is planned for Fiscal Year 1995. Insights gained in the planning, conduct, and follow-up review of the 1993 experimental biomedical engineering research grant program provide useful background information on "The Role of Technology in the Cost of Health Care". The desirability is indicated for engineers to participate in the development of a credible and robust technology assessment process at the basic and applied research stages of health care technology development.