1. An approach to prioritization of medical devices in low-income countries: an example based on the Republic of South Sudan.
- Author
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Lilford, Richard J., Burn, Samantha L., Diaconu, Karin D., Lilford, Peter, Chilton, Peter J., Bion, Victoria, Cummins, Carole, and Manaseki-Holland, Semira
- Subjects
ACQUISITION of property ,MATERIALS management ,COMMERCIAL product evaluation ,GROUP decision making ,CONCEPTUAL structures ,INVENTORIES ,MEDICAL technology ,POLICY science research ,PUBLIC hospitals ,RESEARCH funding ,WAR ,METHODOLOGY - Abstract
Background Efficient and evidence-based medical device and equipment prioritization is of particular importance in low-income countries due to constraints in financing capacity, physical infrastructure and human resource capabilities. Methods This paper outlines a medical device prioritization method developed in first instance for the Republic of South Sudan. The simple algorithm offered here is a starting point for procurement and selection of medical devices and can be regarded as a screening test for those that require more labour intensive health economic modelling. Conclusions A heuristic method, such as the one presented here, is appropriate for reaching many medical device prioritization decisions in low-income settings. Further investment and purchasing decisions that cannot be reached so simply require more complex health economic modelling approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
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