The impact of technological change on clinical laboratory and radiology manpower

Abstract

The paper examines how technological change in clinical laboratories and radiology in the U.S. have impacted the health manpower requirements to provide those services. The main argument is that the introduction of new diagnostic technology affects the manpower structure in diverse ways. The impacts range from the creation of new occupations or changes in manpower mix to changes in the educational system such as the emergence of new training programs and curriculums, to name a few. The planning and policy implications for the health care system are discussed, as well as some potentially useful policies for future action.