TECHNOLOGY AND SURGERY - DILEMMA OF THE GIMMICK, TRUE ADVANCES, ANC COST-EFFECTIVENESS

The key to evaluating a procedure as a true advance is to determine it s value. The surgical value package is defined as quality (short- and long-term results) provided for a reasonable cost. The procedure must be used appropriately or the relationship of quality to cost cannot be calculated. Value must be determined through the perspective of all t he stakeholders in health care (patient, provider, payer, employer, an d industry) before a procedure will be adopted or rejected, that is, d eclared a true advance or a gimmick, respectively.