Technology assessment

It ould seem to most casual observers that the task of technology assessment would fall naturally on the surgeon. After all, does our training and livelihood not depend on technology? Furthermore, as "procedure- oriented" physicians (in contrast to our "cognitive" colleagues as described by Hsiao'), we are closer to the technologies that require assessment and thus better suited for their evaluation. It is hoped that the alltoo- narrow and incomplete focus presented in the above will become evident in this article, as my intent is to describe what technology assessment in health care involves and to stress that its application is a complex and very involved process. Its scope is extremely broad, often quite expensive, and especially for the surgeon requires the advice and input of non-surgeons.