TEMPEST: An integrative model for health technology assessment

This paper responds to calls for a national forum to track enabling (current) and emerging (future) technologies in healthcare. An integrative model for health technology assessment is developed from prior empirical research, secondary source material and peer review on a range of healthcare technologies: information and communications technology; medical devices, imaging/monitoring technology; personalised medicines; drug discovery and diagnostics. The TEMPEST model is an acronym for technology, economic, market, political, evaluation, social and transformation. These themes are sub-divided into focal areas, where quantitative indicators/metrics are used for comparative analysis. The model provides a conceptual and analytical tool for policy-makers, healthcare professionals IT vendors, citizens and other stakeholders for understanding and evaluating the scale and scope of health technology adoption and implementation at national, regional and local levels.