A Process-Based Taxonomy of Medical Devices for Clinical Pathways Design and Innovation

The constant development of medical devices makes taxonomies - i.e., tools for grouping objects into domains based on common characteristics - very useful. Device producers typically use taxonomies to identify competing and/or complementary solutions and develop their value proposition. Several taxonomies have been proposed over the years to classify medical devices. However, these taxonomies either focus on strictly technological aspects or loosely describe the context where devices can be applied (target population, setting, etc.) and the benefits devices might bring in terms of clinical outcomes (more accurate diagnosis, treatments, etc.). These taxonomies do not allow understanding - with an adequate level of detail - how the diagnosis and treatment processes might change as a result of the adoption of a given device and the benefits stakeholders might derive. This paper fills this gap by proposing a novel taxonomy that takes a process perspective. Such a taxonomy can help device developers understand how their technology can impact care processes. Moreover, it can help healthcare managers select the technology that best fits their needs and effectively improve current care processes. The practical use of the taxonomy is illustrated through an application case concerning devices for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.