The medical device sector in Greece: An economic evaluation of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) market

The medical devices equipment and more specifically the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) units, open new horizons in the realization of diagnostic examinations, offering additionally an exceptionally reliable information in the process of the clinical decision-making. Aim: Aim of the present study is the general review of the medical devices sector globally but also in Greece and the economic analysis of the MRI market in Greece. Material and Methods: This study was realized using data concerning the number, the characteristics and the use of the MRI units for the year 2009. For the analysis of those data, simple methods of descriptive statistical analysis were applied. Results: The present research points out that the proportion of the MRI units per million of population ranks Greece in the third place globally after USA and Japan. Moreover, it was unveiled that only 13% of total MRI's units are installed in public hospitals, while their unequal distribution and their absence in the countryside are obvious. Conclusions: The findings confirmed the conclusion that the imperative need of strategic planning of supply, fair distribution and rational use of MRI units in Greece.

Keywords: Medical device equipment, MRI units, cost of diagnostic examinations, distribution of resources