COVER; COPYRIGHT; CONTENTS; Acknowledgements; Acronyms and abbreviations; Overview; Introduction; Medical devices; Public health needs; Priority Medical Devices project: methods used; Medical devices: problems and possible solutions; Towards appropriate medical devices:options for future research; References; Glossary; Annex 1; Annex 2; Annex 3
Summary
Choosing a medical device is complex and requires a transparent process based on reason, evidence and assessment of prioritized public health needs. Poor choices lead to inappropriate use or non-use of medical devices and a waste of resources. This report suggests how an agenda to improve access to appropriate medical devices could be devised from applying the crucial 4 components - Availability, Accessibility, Appropriateness, and Affordability, to the 15 global high-burden diseases and some cross-cutting issues. The results of this exercise suggest several areas of research necessary to help