Authors' objectives:

To provide an overview of the implications of omitting evidence regarding the social impact of bone mineral density (BMD) testing programmes.

Authors' recommendations: The comprehensive evaluation framework provides a methodology for conducting this type of evaluation. The broad framework proved valuable because it lead to an explanation of why technologies diffuse into clinical practice before evidence is available about their actual usefulness. In the case of BMD, it demonstrated that cultural beliefs about menopause, ageing and prevention intersected with a predictive diagnostic technology to 'normalize' a medical practice of doubtful value. BMD testing is in effect being promoted and accepted as a prophylactic to counteract the primarily social effects of ageing (decay, loss of youth, immobility), at the expense of examining the social, political, and economic implications of ageing on women's health. The use of the broad evaluation framework encouraged a re-thinking of the health problems associated with ageing in ways that focus on society rather than on individual diseased bodies.

Authors' methods: Overview

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.chspr.ubc.ca/bcohta/

Year Published: 1997

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: British Columbia Office of Health Technology Assessment

Contact Address: B. C. Office of Health Technology Assessment, Centre for Health Services and Policy Research, S-184 Koerner Pavilion, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B. C., V6T 1Z3, Canada.

Copyright: BCOHTA