Technology assessment applied: A comparison of ophthalmic diagnostic techniques to detect diabetic retinopathy among Aboriginal people in central Australia
Edwina A McConnell
Independent Nurse Consultant, Madison, Wisconsin; Visiting Professor, School of Nursing, University of South Australia, City Campus, Adelaide SA
Henry S Newland
Senior Consultant; Senior Lecturer in Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park SA
Judith Manning
Lecturer, School of Nursing, University of South Australia, City Campus, Adelaide SA
Merri Paech
Lecturer, School of Nursing, University of South Australia, City Campus, Adelaide SA
PP: 023 - 028
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is one of the non-communicable diseases that has accompanied Aboriginal exposure to Western life style. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is higher in the Aboriginal population than in non-Aboriginal Australians (Holding 1985) and many Aboriginals who have diabetes mellitus develop diabetic retinopathy.
Early detection facilitates treatment and prevention of blindness, a sequel of diabetic retinopathy. This paper describes the use of technology assessment as a frame for comparing two diagnostic technologies, fundal camera and ophthalmoscope, for use with Aboriginal people in central Australia.
References
Amara R (1975) Some observations on the interaction of technology and society. Futures 7: 515-517.
Australian Info International (1989) Australian Aboriginal Culture 3rd edn. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.
Banta HD and Andreasen PB (1990) The political dimension in health care technology assessment programs. International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 6: 115-123.
Banta HD and Behney C J (1981) Policy formulation and technology assessment. Milbank Memorial Fund Quarterly/Health and Society 59: 445-479.
Chrzanowski RS and Paccaud F (1988) Study design for technology assessment: critical issues. Health Policy 9:285-296.
Crossing new frontiers in Aboriginal health (1990) South Australian Medical Review 3(8): 3-4.
Drummond MF (1990) Allocating resources. International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 6: 77-92.
Glasser JH and Chrzanowski RS (1988) Medical technology assessment: adequate questions, appropriate methods, valuable answers. Health Policy 9: 267-276.
Gracey M (1985) Aborigines and health. The Medical Journal of Australia 143(October) 28: 543-544.
Holding C (1985) Aboriginal health issues. The Medical Journal of Australia 143(October) 28: 542-543.
Hollows FC (1986) Some aspects of Aboriginal health. Australian Family Physician 15: 884-887.
Hutton J (1986) Economic evaluation of medical technologies. International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 2: 43-52.
Jennett B (1988) Assessment of clinical technologies. International Journal of Technology in Health Care 4: 435-445.
Luce BR and Elixhauser A (1990) Estimating costs in the economic evaluation of medical technologies. International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 6: 57-75.
Malasanos L, Barkauskas V and Stoltenberg-Allen K (1990) Health assessment 4th edn. Mosby, St Louis.
O'Dea K (1986) Aboriginal health and changes in lifestyle. Australian Family Physician 15: 875-881.
Phillips CB, Patel MS and Cabaron Y (1990) Diabetes among Aboriginal people in central Australia: a high prevalence based on health service attendance. The Medical Journal of Australia 153: 314-318.
Tanneberger S (1988) When must a new approach to treatment be introduced? International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 4: 113-120.
Thomson N (1984) Aboriginal health: current status. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Medicine 14: 705-718.
Tripp-Reimer T, Brink PJ and Saunders JM (1984) Cultural assessment: content and process. Nursing Outlook 32(2): 78-82.
US Office of Technology Assessment (1982) Strategies for medical technology assessment. US Government Printing Office, Washington, DC.
Welch Allyn Inc (undated) A guide to the use of diagnostic instruments in eye, ear, nose and throat examinations. Welch Allyn, New York.
Wong D (1989) The fundus camera. In: Tasman W (ed) Duane's Clinical Ophthalmology 1: 1-14.
Young DA (1986) Strategies in technology assessment and implementation in the United States. International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 2: 13-18.

eContent Home




