Low-technology solutions dominate health service delivery
Huge cost savings can be gained through simple preventative measures. As the economic downturn continues in Europe, poverty increases, leading to the decline of the general health level. People cannot afford increased cost of healthcare and become more reliant on low tech solutions.
As the financial crisis and age of austerity continue to grip much of the developed world, service providers may seek more low-technology solutions. There may be greater investment in cost effective interventions and basic procedures which can have a huge impact on quality and health outcomes. It is often in times of crisis and funding shortfalls that cost-effective solutions are found. Low tech solutions are not necessarily damaging on outcomes. Indeed, some of the most effective methods of keeping healthy are simple procedures such as frequent exercise, effective hand washing, and smoking cessation.
As chronic illnesses and care for the elderly account for the majority of spending on health and social care budget, incremental cost savings can be gained through simple preventative measures, such as better diet and exercise with the younger population. This may potentially renew attention and interest on public health planning.
Simple measures can include focusing on reducing unplanned admissions and re-admissions, greater focus on self care and care in the community, and integrating care. However, low technology does not mean no technology. Certain processes can be vastly improved with little technological input; for example, the recent innovative method invented by a high school student for detecting pancreatic cancer. The overall driving concern remains with safety and cost effectiveness.
Proposed workforce impact
- Highly skilled resources and technologies are not in demand by commissioners.
- Services required by very specialised clinical and non-clinical staff decrease significantly.
- GPs will need to have more generalist skills
Sources or references
- Interviews with healthcare professionals as part of the CfWI’s Medical and Dental Student Intakes project, 2012
- King’s Fund, 2010, Improving NHS productivity: More with the same not more of the same
- http://www.forbes.com/sites/bruceupbin/2012/06/18/wait-did-this-15-year-old-from-maryland-just-change-cancer-treatment/
- http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/09/18/161264247/botswana-doctors-stop-cervical-cancer-with-a-vinegar-swab
- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/6936302/NHS-plans-to-use-more-generic-drugs-to-save-more-than-20-million-a-year.html
Additional research questions
- What are some low-technology solutions?
- What are the workforce-related effects of these low-technology solutions in countries currently utilising similar solutions?
Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.
