Objectives:
The purpose of this study was to conduct a health technology assessment
(HTA) of automated dose dispensing in the Danish primary health
care sector. The present article answers the sub question of how
various groups of actors spoke about and understood the shaping
of automated dose dispensing (positioning in discourses).
Methods: The project utilized two methods: 11 qualitative research
interviews with selected key actors and a net-based qualitative
questionnaire of 97 selected practitioners.
Results: Three main types of discourse were identified with respect
to the development of automated dose dispensing, namely optimistic,
sceptical and pragmatic. A wide diversity of opinion about automated
dose dispensing was identified among the three discourses and
their attendant scenarios. A number of factors are found in all
three types of discourse, and are therefore considered to express
common recommendations for decision makers and practitioners.
These factors are described in the article.
Conclusions: The article argues in favour of HTA, which to a great
extent clarifies and initiates the perspectives of various groups
of actors about the same technology. Our analyses show that conscious
strategies must be employed to make the technology work successfully
with the actors involved. The preferences, ideas and proposals
for future actions and initiatives identified in the project could
be the basis for defining future development strategies.
