Enhanced Medical Intervention: Surgetics and Robotics

Abstract

The aim of a medical or surgical intervention is to improve and, where possible, restore the patient's health in compliance with societal rules. To meet this objective, new approaches to increase the Quality of interventions have been identified in recent years. They are based on concepts that are illustrated through two specific field: Surgetics and Robotics. These innovative approaches have led to the general notion of ``Enhanced Medical Interventions{''}, that may be seen as new ways of management of patient care in the context of improvements in the quality of interventions. Although these approaches based on innovative technology are very promising, these new types of interventions are meaningful only if associated with considerations related to the assessment of Medical Benefit, such assessment being indeed essential to identify the usefulness of these new approaches towards public health policy.