The diffusion of robotic surgery: Examining technology use in the English NHS

Abstract

This paper examines the adoption and diffusion of medical technology as associated with the dramatic re- cent increase in the surgical use of robots. We consider specifically the sequential adoption and diffusion patterns of three interrelated surgical technologies within a single healthcare system (the English NHS): robotic, laparoscopic and open radical prostatectomy. Robotic and laparoscopic techniques are minimally invasive procedures with similar patient benefits, but the newer robotic technique requires a high initial investment cost to purchase the robot and carries high maintenance costs over time (...)