What are criteria for considering technologies' uses and influences in LMICs' health care infrastructures?

Abstract

A lack of health technology is an obstacle to health system growth in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). US-based clinicians participating in global health efforts might sometimes wonder about clinical and ethical standards by which they should judge short- and long-term risks and benefits of bringing technological assistance with them to care for patients in LMICs. These countries are heterogeneous and changing, so establishing an evidence base for clinical and ethical decision making about technology use could be an important priority. This article suggests clinically and ethically relevant criteria according to which health technologies' use and influence can be evaluated.