How do strategy, scanning, and assessment shape decision-making on technologies in hospitals? insights from a qualitative study in Dutch hospitals

Background: Rapid advancements in technology affect the quality and sustainability of the healthcare system. Decisions regarding technology procurement and adoption are made by different actors at various levels within hospitals. Objective: The aim of this study was to understand hospitals’ strategies, scanning and assessment processes towards technology in hospitals and identify inherent trends and challenges connected to them. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were performed covering hospitals’ strategies, scanning and assessment processes, examined through thematic analysis. Interviewees were members of board of directors, medical doctors, medical physicists, chief (medical) information officers and innovation managers, working in 7 different hospitals in the Netherlands. Results: The number of respondents was 24: 6 Chief Executive Officers or Board of Directors members, 6 Medical Doctors, 4 Chief Information/Medical Information Officers, 4 Innovation Managers, and 4 Medical Physicists. Thematic analysis revealed hospitals prioritize optimal patient care, with academic hospitals emphasizing their additional role in research and education. They focus on specific clinical areas in order to excel. Some aim to pioneer new technologies. Typically, the implementation of new technologies is initiated by professionals and approved by management. Hospitals’ scanning and assessment of emerging technologies, and assessment of implemented technologies, lacks a systematic approach, with some interviewees preferring better standardization. Other interviewees advocated for experimentation with innovative technology without evaluation constraints. Conclusions: This paper shows there is not a standard strategy, scanning and assessment of health technologies within hospitals. More systematic technology scanning and assessment processes could potentially benefit hospitals, facilitating streamlined decision-making and efficient use of resources.