FACTORS that REINFORCE THE MARKET for Health Technology

● Strong or growing economies ● Aging populations ● Advances in science and engineering ● Provider competition to offer state-of-the-art technology ● Increasing prevalence of chronic diseases ● Emerging pathogens and other disease threats ● Intellectual property, especially patent protection ● Third-party payment, fee-for-service payment ● Financial incentives of technology companies, clinicians, hospitals, and others ● Public demand driven by direct-to-consumer advertising, mass media reports, social media, and consumer awareness and advocacy ● Off-label use of drugs, biologics, and devices ● “Cascade” effects of unnecessary tests, unexpected results, or patient or physician anxiety ● Clinician specialty training at academic medical centers ● Malpractice avoidance