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Biomedical subjects

W R Hendee

Publications and source records attributed to W R Hendee.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Colliding forces in radiology: technologic imperative, resource limitations, and accountability demands.

Advances in radiology over the past 20 years are the product of a technologic imperative that has produced new approaches to the acquisition of medical images and modifications to conventional approaches. The imperative has placed radiology at the leading edge of the computer-technology era of modern medicine and has also produced several big-ticket technologies that have been identified as major contributors to rising health care costs. Consequently, the demands for quantitative data on the impact and cost-effectiveness of the use of these technologies in the clinical arena are increasing. Meeting the growing demand for accountability in radiology requires that the discipline adopt innovative approaches for assessing its technologies and acquire new types of data, including documentation of cost savings accrued by selective use of radiologic technologies and demonstration of the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of triage schemes that lead to more effective decision making. The requirement of quantitative accountability represents a new way of doing business for radiology and a new approach to management for those responsible for business.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1994

Support for biomedical research and its impact on radiology.

Research in medical imaging has experienced substantial growth during the past decade. Still, research is a small fraction of the budget of the typical academic radiology program. Few radiology faculty participate in hypothesis-driven research projects. Funding of research will be more difficult to secure in the future, since clinical subsidies will diminish or disappear, support from industry is decreasing, and funds from private foundations and philanthropists are not likely to increase. Support from the NIH will probably remain about level in constant dollars. In response to these constraints, radiology will have to be both more creative and more opportunistic to tap the limited remaining resources of research support. An excellent compilation of some major resources was recently published by Williams and Holden (9). Efforts of the Conjoint Committee will continue to be critical for continuing support of the LDRR, encouraging the allocation of intramural and extramural resources of the NCI to medical imaging, guiding the development of the American Academy of Radiologic Research, providing research training opportunities for physicians and scientists in radiology, and leading the research effort in medical imaging in general (10). Within individual institutions and departments, imaging research must continue to be acknowledged as a priority despite increasing pressures to generate clinical revenue. Enhanced efforts are warranted to nurture the research interests of younger faculty and selected residents and fellows, including pairing them with research mentors and providing them with opportunities to develop skills in areas such as research design, statistical analysis, and evaluative techniques. The long-term well-being of radiology and its important contributions to patient care are dependent on its continued investment in research and development.

Financing, Government↗
PubMed1994

The Health Information Technology Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Everyone working in health care today is overwhelmed by scientific and medical information. Effective use of this information requires access to sophisticated information communications technologies. At the Medical College of Wisconsin, the Health Information Technology Center provides these technologies for biomedical research, medical education, clinical service, and health policy analysis. Several of the center's services are available to community health care providers through the college's Medical Information Network.

Community Participation↗
PubMed1991

Personal and public perceptions of radiation risks.

Risks often are accompanied by benefits, which are not attainable without incurring the risks. When a person voluntarily decides to take a risk, he or she assumes responsibility for the outcome, whether beneficial or adverse. The converse concerning involuntary risks is also true, with the result that many people oppose involuntary risks with their threat of adverse outcomes. Medical exposure to radiation can be perceived as both an involuntary and voluntary risk. In American culture, the entertainment and news media have contributed greatly to the public's abhorrence of radiation, radioactivity, and nuclear energy. Because people respond emotionally rather than intellectually to risk information, the risks of radiation exposure are best communicated by someone who is knowledgeable, is recognized as a health expert, is trustworthy, and has no conflict of interest but a stake in the community, such as a community physician. Such a spokesperson must respond first to perceptions of risks and underlying emotions, since use of only facts often fails to counteract fears. With trust established, a rational discussion of risks and benefits can begin.

Attitude↗
PubMed1991

Technology assessment in medicine: methods, status and trends.

The contribution of medical technologies to the rising costs of health care is generating increasing enthusiasm for application of methods for assessing the impact of the technologies on health care cost and quality. Various assessment methods are available, ranging from rigorous Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials to informal Opinion Surveys of practitioners experienced with the technologies. Between these extremes are techniques such as Performance Analysis, Case Series, Case Studies, Metanalysis and Consensus Development. In the United States several institutions are involved in the technology assessment process. These institutions include government agencies, third-party carriers, advisory groups, and professional organizations. Currently these institutions emphasize variables such as safety, effectiveness and, less frequently, cost-effectiveness as criteria of technology assessment. However, outcome measures such as morbidity and mortality statistics and 'quality of life' parameters are receiving increased attention as more penetrating criteria for technology assessment.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗