Objective: To analyze the rates and influences on the adoption of three sel
ected health technologies: statins, coronary stents, and magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI).
Methods: A retrospective diffusion study using primary care prescribing dat
a and questionnaire responses from acute hospital trusts in the West Midlan
ds region (population 5.3 million or 10% of England).
Results: The selected technologies had markedly different diffusion curves.
Statins diffused rapidly soon after launch. Coronary stents were initially
used 6 years after first availability, but within 2 years all responding h
ospitals reported using them. MRI scanners were initially purchased 6 years
after first availability with a subsequently slow rate of diffusion, and a
re still absent from some hospitals. Influences on the adoption of each tec
hnology were different. Commercial marketing was reported as a major influe
nce on the diffusion of statins but not at all on MRIs. Cost impact was a m
ajor negative influence on the diffusion of MRI scanners and statins, where
as enthusiastic individuals were key to the diffusion of stents.
Conclusions: influences on adoption and consequent diffusion rates are very
different for different health technologies. It is not at all clear that s
uch diffusion patterns relate well to an optimum timing rate. This has impo
rtant implications for technology gatekeepers in health care.