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A photoacoustic instrument for diagnosis and monitoring of rheumatoid arthritis - A case study in the field of user involvement

Weiser, Maren Katharina (2013) A photoacoustic instrument for diagnosis and monitoring of rheumatoid arthritis - A case study in the field of user involvement.

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Abstract:INTRODUCTION: The role of technology in health care is getting increasingly important. Every year a huge number of medical devices are entering the health care market, with the goal to maintain and/or improve health through better diagnosis, treatment and monitoring. One emerging field in medical device development is the use of imaging technologies for diagnosis and monitoring of different diseases. This study focusses on a new imaging technology for diagnosis and monitoring of rheumatoid arthritis that is currently under development at the University of Twente. AIM: Aim of this study is to access the potential of this new imaging technology for diagnosis and monitoring of rheumatoid arthritis in current and future health care settings. METHOD: A needs assessment was conducted in an early phase of the development process of a new medical device for diagnosis and monitoring of rheumatoid arthritis. An analysis of guidelines and recommendations for rheumatoid arthritis in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany was performed. A SWOT analysis of MRI, Ultrasound, X-ray, CT scan and the new medical device was done, to identify advantages and disadvantages of the different imaging devices and identify possible needs. Importance of characteristics of imaging device for diagnosis and monitoring of rheumatoid arthritis and the performance of different imaging devices on these characteristics were established by a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Analysis of guidelines and recommendations in the Nederlands, the United Kingdom and Germany have shown that imaging devices are going to play a greater role in diagnosis and monitoring of rheumatoid arthritis. The care pathway is roughly the same in the three countries. However, guidelines differ in their recommendations about the areas of application of the different devices. Quantitative research among rheumatologists revealed that sensitivity, specificity and quality of the images are the most important characteristics for imaging devices. Least important characteristics were duration of scan and visualization of blood vessels. Qualitative research among rheumatologists showed that there is a great interest in devices that are immediately available when required and are easy to use. Furthermore rheumatologists are getting more aware of the need for early diagnosis. Rheumatologists wish to conduct faster measurements and quantitative measurements. Devices should be less complex and patient data about diagnosis and monitoring should be stored conform and centrally over time. CONCLUSION: The new imaging technology that is under development at the University of Twente might play a part in the discovered issues of diagnosis and monitoring in rheumatoid arthritis, if test results indicate a good performance on characteristics that are perceived as important by rheumatologists and the device is less costly than MRI. More awareness of the importance of certain characteristics could lead to greater value of the device for its users. However, estimations are difficult to make, as the device is in such an early stage of development.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:88 social and public administration
Programme:Health Sciences MSc (66851)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/64336
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