Title: Analysis of the adoption of new health technology: the case of Dupuytren's disease

Authors: Riikka-Leena Leskelä; Fredrik Herse; Paulus Torkki; Juha Laine; Tiina Vilkuna; Timo Raatikainen

Addresses: Nordic Healthcare Group, Vattuniemenranta 2, 00210 Helsinki, Finland ' Nordic Healthcare Group, Vattuniemenranta 2, 00210 Helsinki, Finland ' Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Aalto University, Otaniementie 17, 02150 Espoo, Finland ' Pfizer, Finland, Tietokuja 4,00330 Helsinki, Finland ' Pfizer, Finland, Tietokuja 4,00330 Helsinki, Finland ' Surgical Dept., Helsinki University Hospital, PO Box 266, 00029 HUS, Finland

Abstract: Health technology assessment focuses on clinical effectiveness and cost efficiency, but achieving these goals does not guarantee the adoption of a new technology if the incentives of individual decision makers (payers, patients, providers) are not aligned. This study creates a framework for the analysis of the adoption phase. The framework is tested in the case of a new, non-invasive treatment for Dupuytren's disease. The framework is developed based on existing operations management theories. The cost-benefit analysis in the case study utilises information on the Finnish healthcare system, detailed data on the process of the surgical and treatment for Dupuytren's from seven hospital districts and expert interviews on the non-surgical treatment process. The analysis suggests that the new technology will most likely be adopted, but it also shows that there are potential hindrances. The study shows that it is important to consider the incentives of individual operators within the healthcare system.

Keywords: healthcare technology; decision making; technology adoption; healthcare management; Dupuytren's disease; health technology assessment; non-invasive treatment; surgery; incentives; healthcare systems; theory of constraints; TOC; operations management; cost-benefit analysis; case study; Finland.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHTM.2016.078360

International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management, 2016 Vol.15 No.3, pp.210 - 227

Received: 09 Feb 2015
Accepted: 11 Feb 2016
Published online: 15 Aug 2016 *

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