Decision Tool of Medical Endoscope Maintenance Service in Chinese Hospitals: A Conjoint Analysis

Background: Quality and cost of medical device maintenance are dominant factors influencing hospitals’ decision in choosing medical endoscope products. Effective and efficient medical device maintenance are also paramount for providing cost-effective and high quality of medical care. This research aims to facilitate decision-making at hospitals in choosing the suitable endoscope device and the associated maintenance service; it also aims to facilitate decision-making at suppliers to develop the right products and services to fulfill customer demands.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken in 50 Chinese hospitals, including primary and tertiary hospitals. Moreover, 65 medical staff and 56 medical engineers were recruited from 50 Chinese hospitals. A comprehensive set of attributes were defined and investigated. Conjoint analysis and orthogonal design were used for survey design and statistical analysis. Results: Attribute importance and utility values of decision-making factors were analyzed at the aggregate, occupation, and medical institution levels. (1) At the aggregate level, the most critical factor is "maintenance response" and the least important one is "maintenance efficiency". (2) At the occupation level, medical staff paid more attention to "maintenance response" and medical engineers paid more attention to "maintenance quality". (3) At the medical institution level, Primary hospitals paid more attention to "maintenance price", while tertiary hospitals paid more attention to "maintenance quality". Conclusions: In general, this study provides a more scientific decision-making tool to both hospitals in choosing maintenance service of medical equipment such as endoscopy, and it also helps manufacturers and suppliers improve the after-sales service.

Recent Patents on the Structure of Medical Endoscope

Background: Among the core components of Medical Equipment, the Medical Endoscope is the core functional component of medical equipment, which has become the key research around the world. Objective: By comparing and discussing the patents of the medical endoscope, some valuable conclusions have been drawn to predict the future research and development of the Medical Endoscope. Methods: By analyzing the patent features of the medical endoscope in the mechanical structure, image display, and endoscope system, the function of the medical endoscope on the detection of human internal tissues has been explained. In combination with the key technology of the Medical Endoscope, patents related to the medical endoscope have been studied. Results: With the rapid development of technology in the medical industry and the need for practical applications, there is an increase in the requirements for medical endoscopes. Medical endoscopes have carried out a lot of innovations in mechanical structure, image imaging, and endoscope systems. By comparing the characteristics of various patents of medical endoscopes, the main problems of current medical endoscopes, such as complicated structure and poor lighting imaging effect, are analyzed and summarized. The further development trend of medical endoscopes has also been discussed. Conclusion: By improving and optimizing the mechanical structure of the medical endoscope, the lighting method and the three directions of the system, the performance of the medical endoscope can be improved, the loopholes in the current technology can be solved, and it will be more practical.

A Conjoint Analysis of Preferences on Medical Endoscope After-sales Service

Background: Medical endoscope instruments are minimally invasive, and they are widely used to investigate symptoms or help to perform certain types of surgery. This study investigates and defines a comprehensive set of attributes, to measure the after-sales service of medical endoscopes. The set of attributes help customers communicate their real needs with suppliers, and guide suppliers to develop the right products and services to fulfil customer demands. Methods: Based on literature review and the findings from the Delphi study, we identified 5 factors (attributes) that best described the expectations on the after-sales service of medical endoscopes. Using conjoint analysis, a set of 16 combinations (also named as cards or profiles) of the factor levels were generated in orthogonal design and used to develop the questionnaire. We administered the cards to 65 medical staff and 56 medical engineers across 50 Chinese hospitals, asking them to assign a preference score to each card. The utility value of each factor level was estimated and attribute importance values were obtained.Results: Attribute importance and utility values of factor levels were analysed at the aggregate level, occupation level, and medical institution level. (1) At the aggregate level, the five attributes were ranked in the order of importance values, the most important one is “maintenance response” and the least important is “maintenance efficiency”. (2) Medical staff and medical engineers ranked the five attributes in the same order. However, medical staff paid more attention to "maintenance response" and medical engineers paid more attention to "maintenance quality". (3) At the medical institution level, primary hospitals paid more attention to "maintenance price", while tertiary hospitals paid more attention to "maintenance quality".Conclusions: In this study, the utility values and attribute importance that affected the after-sales service level of medical endoscopes were obtained using conjoint analysis. The research results were consistent with the actual market situation of medical endoscope service. In general, this study provides a more scientific solution for hospitals in choosing after-sales service of medical equipment, and it also helps manufacturers and suppliers improve the after-sales service.

A Conjoint Analysis of Preferences on Medical Endoscope After-sales Service

Background: Medical endoscope instruments are minimally invasive, and they are widely used to investigate symptoms or help to perform certain types of surgery. This study investigates and defines a comprehensive set of attributes, to measure the after-sales service of medical endoscopes. The set of attributes help customers communicate their real needs with suppliers, and guide suppliers to develop the right products and services to fulfil customer demands. Methods: Based on literature review and the findings from the Delphi study, we identified 5 factors (attributes) that best described the expectations on the after-sales service of medical endoscopes. Using conjoint analysis, a set of 16 combinations (also named as cards or profiles) of the factor levels were generated in orthogonal design and used to develop the questionnaire. We administered the cards to 65 medical staff and 56 medical engineers across 50 Chinese hospitals, asking them to assign a preference score to each card. The utility value of each factor level was estimated and attribute importance values were obtained.Results: Attribute importance and utility values of factor levels were analysed at the aggregate level, occupation level, and medical institution level. (1) At the aggregate level, the five attributes were ranked in the order of importance values, the most important one is “maintenance response” and the least important is “maintenance efficiency”. (2) Medical staff and medical engineers ranked the five attributes in the same order. However, medical staff paid more attention to "maintenance response" and medical engineers paid more attention to "maintenance quality". (3) At the medical institution level, primary hospitals paid more attention to "maintenance price", while tertiary hospitals paid more attention to "maintenance quality".Conclusions: In this study, the utility values and attribute importance that affected the after-sales service level of medical endoscopes were obtained using conjoint analysis. The research results were consistent with the actual market situation of medical endoscope service. In general, this study provides a more scientific solution for hospitals in choosing after-sales service of medical equipment, and it also helps manufacturers and suppliers improve the after-sales service.

Model Construction of Medical Endoscope Service Evaluation System-Based on the Analysis of Delphi Method

Background: Medical endoscope is widely used in clinical practice for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment，occupying around 5% of the medical device market. Evaluating the true service level of medical endoscope is essential and necessary to improve overall performance of medical diagnosis and treatment, and to maintain competitiveness of endoscope manufacturers, however, such a tool is not available in the market. This study develops an Evaluation Index System (EIS) to assess service level of medical endoscope, and to provide suggestions for improving the service level through the Delphi method.Methods: Firstly, the possible factors influencing the service level were identified from literature review. In parallel, the Delphi expert method questionnaire was designed and 25 experts were invited to conduct three rounds of questionnaire, to evaluate and rate the possible factors. Finally, we determined the weights associated with the factors, using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and percentage method, and developed the service level EIS.Results: The EIS consists of 3 first-level indicators, 24 second-level indicators and 68 third-level indicators. According to the weights computed using AHP, first-level indicators are ranked as post-sale (0.62), in-sale (0.25) and pre-sale (0.13). Through case verification, the medical endoscope brand Olympus had a total score of 4.17, Shanghai Aohua had a total score of 3.71, and Shanghai Chengyun had a total score of 3.28, which matches its market popularity and ranking in terms of market share. The results obtained from the EIS are consistent with the reality.Conclusions: The EIS established in this study is comprehensive, reliable and reasonable with strong practicality. The EIS can act as a tool for the endoscope users to evaluate potential products and make informed choices. It also provides a measurable basis for endoscope manufacturers and service providers to improve service quality.

Model Construction of Medical Endoscope Service Evaluation System-Based on the Analysis of Delphi Method

Background: Medical endoscope is widely used in clinical practice for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment，occupying around 5% of the medical device market. Evaluating the true service level of medical endoscope is essential and necessary to improve overall performance of medical diagnosis and treatment, and to maintain competitiveness of endoscope manufacturers, however, such a tool is not available in the market. This study develops an Evaluation Index System (EIS) to assess service level of medical endoscope, and to provide suggestions for improving the service level through the Delphi method.Methods: Firstly, the possible factors influencing the service level were identified from literature review. In parallel, the Delphi expert method questionnaire was designed and 25 experts were invited to conduct three rounds of questionnaire, to evaluate and rate the possible factors. Finally, we determined the weights associated with the factors, using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and percentage method, and developed the service level EIS.Results: The EIS consists of 3 first-level indicators, 24 second-level indicators and 68 third-level indicators. According to the weights computed using AHP, first-level indicators are ranked as post-sale (0.62), in-sale (0.25) and pre-sale (0.13). Through case verification, the medical endoscope brand Olympus had a total score of 4.17, Shanghai Aohua had a total score of 3.71, and Shanghai Chengyun had a total score of 3.28, which matches its market popularity and ranking in terms of market share. The results obtained from the EIS are consistent with the reality.Conclusions: The EIS established in this study is comprehensive, reliable and reasonable with strong practicality. The EIS can act as a tool for the endoscope users to evaluate potential products and make informed choices. It also provides a measurable basis for endoscope manufacturers and service providers to improve service quality.

Model Construction of Medical Endoscope Service Evaluation System-Based on the Analysis of Delphi Method

Background: Medical endoscope is widely used in clinical practice for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment,occupying around 5% of the medical device market. Evaluating the true service level of medical endoscope is essential and necessary to improve overall performance of medical diagnosis and treatment, and to maintain competitiveness of endoscope manufacturers, however, such a tool is not available in the market. This study develops an Evaluation Index System (EIS) to assess service level of medical endoscope, and to provide suggestions for improving the service level through the Delphi method. Methods: Firstly, the possible factors influencing the service level were identified from literature review. In parallel, the Delphi expert method questionnaire was designed and 25 experts were invited to conduct three rounds of questionnaire, to evaluate and rate the possible factors. Finally, we determined the weights associated with the factors, using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and percentage method, and developed theservice level EIS. Results: The EIS consists of 3 first-level indicators, 24 second-level indicators and 68 third-level indicators. According to the weights computed using AHP, first-level indicators are ranked as post-sale (0.62), in-sale (0.25) and pre-sale (0.13). Through case verification, the medical endoscope brand Olympus had a total score of 4.17, Shanghai Aohua had a total score of 3.71, and Shanghai Chengyun had a total score of 3.28, which matches its market popularity and ranking in terms of market share. The results obtained from the EIS are consistent with the reality. Conclusions: The EIS established in this study is comprehensive, reliable and reasonable with strong practicality. The EIS can act as a tool for the endoscope users to evaluate potential products and make informed choices. It also provides a measurable basis for endoscope manufacturers and service providers to improve service quality.

Model Construction of Medical Endoscope Service Evaluation System-Based on the Analysis of Delphi Method

Background: Medical endoscope is widely used in clinical practice for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment,occupying around 5% of the medical device market. Evaluating the true service level of medical endoscope is essential and necessary to improve overall performance of medical diagnosis and treatment, and to maintain competitiveness of endoscope manufacturers, however, such a tool is not available in the market. This study develops an Evaluation Index System (EIS) to assess service level of medical endoscope, and to provide suggestions for improving the service level through the Delphi method. Methods: Firstly, the possible factors influencing the service level were identified from literature review. In parallel, the Delphi expert method questionnaire was designed and 25 experts were invited to conduct three rounds of questionnaire, to evaluate and rate the possible factors. Finally, we determined the weights associated with the factors, using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and percentage method, and developed theservice level EIS. Results: The EIS consists of 3 first-level indicators, 24 second-level indicators and 68 third-level indicators. According to the weights computed using AHP, first-level indicators are ranked as post-sale (0.62), in-sale (0.25) and pre-sale (0.13). Through case verification, the medical endoscope brand Olympus had a total score of 4.17, Shanghai Aohua had a total score of 3.71, and Shanghai Chengyun had a total score of 3.28, which matches its market popularity and ranking in terms of market share. The results obtained from the EIS are consistent with the reality. Conclusions: The EIS established in this study is comprehensive, reliable and reasonable with strong practicality. The EIS can act as a tool for the endoscope users to evaluate potential products and make informed choices. It also provides a measurable basis for endoscope manufacturers and service providers to improve service quality.