Paper

The Disruptive Nature of Personalized Medicine Technologies: Implications for the Health Care System
R.J. Carlson

Resource Center for Health Policy, Department of Health Services, and Department of Pharmacy, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., USA

Address of Corresponding Author

Public Health Genomics 2009;12:180-184 (DOI: 10.1159/000189631)

  Key Words

• Disruptive technology
• Genomics
• Policy

  Abstract

Genomics technologies, notwithstanding rising complexity and low productivity to date, once translated to clinical care, promise significantly improved outcomes through cost-effective interventions and prevention. But, along the way, every business model and every stakeholder group will be challenged to adapt to the disruptions that will arise as our health care system seeks to embrace those technologies. This paper identifies many of the key issues and stakeholders to be directly effected, including payers, providers, and suppliers. An even greater challenge faces public policy makers if these technologies are to be optimized. Many of these issues are raised as well. Finally, the point is made that the greatest barriers are not necessarily raised by stakeholders but rather arise from the deepening complexity of the science itself, requiring a long-term, large, and consistent research commitment from both the public and private sectors - a commitment made harder by the indisputable need to reform the current health care system.

Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Prof. Rick J. Carlson
Resource Center for Health Policy, Department of Health Services
School of Public Health, University of Washington
Seattle, WA (USA)
Tel. +1 206 545 7294, Fax +1 206 545 7293, E-Mail rickjcarl@aol.com

  Article Information

This study is based on research led by David Sugerbaker at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston about the unique genetic profile of each cancer in each patient.

Published online: February 10, 2009
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 4