Historiographical reviews on medical technologies show the speed with which the research agenda has widened including the “historical-social, cultural and anthropological approach”, according to Professors of the department of Pathological Anatomy and Science History of the University of Granada, Rosa María Medina Doménech and Alfredo Menéndez Navarro who, under the title “Medical technologies in the contemporary world: a historical viewpoint from peripheries”, have published in the journal “Dynamis” of the UGR a work in which they analyse technologies as a historical study and their relation with health and disease.
According to the authors, the first systematization attempt carried out by Harry Marks at the beginning of the nineties revealed the strength of the medical society and the work program of technology assessment, which lived together with the most traditional approaches devoted to the history of the machines themselves.
“The study of the innovations and its spreading, the impact of technology in the organization of the medical practice, social technology assessment and its relation with industry were the main aspects of the research work −Professors Medina and Menéndez point out−. Marks also stated an incipient concern (in disciplines such as history of medicine, science sociology and anthropology) for exploring the social implications of medical technologies beyond the limits of the concern for its effectiveness and efficiency.”
Reference
Professor Rosa María Medina Doménech
Dpt. of Pathological Anatomy and Science History. Phone number. 958 248 297 (direct) / 958 243 512 (department) E-mail. rosam@ugr.es
Prof. Alfredo Menéndez Navarro. Dpt. of Pathological Anatomy and Science History Phone number. 958 242 943 (direct) / 958 243 512 (department) E-mail. amenende@ugr.es
