Abstract
This research is primarily a literature review, aiming for reviewing information and academic literature related to health economics and management of medical technology in Thailand, gathering recommendations from health economic studies and policy research on expensive medical-technology equipment, statistics, opinions, as well as policy options published as academic articles. In addition, the review includes related body of knowledge on management of the technology at the public policy level and at the system policy level that has been studied and published in international academic journals, including technology assessment, acquisition, purchasing, diffusion, costs and utilization of the medical technology. The finding indicates that Thailand has a limited number of researches on management of expensive medical-technology equipment. Most of the studies are specific to certain technologies. There are some technology assessment works but they are not common. The investment of the public and private sectors on medical equipment before the country economic crisis tended to go up all the time. Despite imperfect data on the technology diffusion, there are evidence that access to technology is not equitable. There is no organization or mechanism to manage comprehensively and effectively. Responsibility on monitoring distribution is scattered among several governmental units. The international literature provides information on technology-assessment guidelines and measures, acquisition and import of technology, management of technology diffusion and use of expensive medical-technology equipment differently. Nevertheless, some conclusions can be drawn that management measures for management of medical technology can be classified into three phases. First, the pre-market phase comprises steps to be taken before import and diffuse the technology for use in the country, need assessment, assessment of infrastructures to support the technology and technology assessment. Second, the purchasing and diffusion phase includes measures after medical technology is proved to be safe and appropriate for use in the country. This is to ensure the proper diffusion of medical technology to maximize efficiency, effectiveness and equity in the system. Third, the use phase consists of measures affecting provider decision to utilize the technology in diagnosing or treating patients in order to warrant appropriate use.
