The role of the universities in assessing technology and disseminating information.

Universities, especially those with medical schools whose academics engage in clinical research, have a vital role in shaping the way in which medical technology is used. Academic clinicians are a bridge between laboratory research, where new technologies are developed, and clinical practice, where these technologies are applied in treating patients. Academic clinicians are particularly suited to doing clinical assessment of medical technologies, and academic clinical departments should devote more time to the assessment and application of technology on a broad scale.