Obsolescence in medicine

The history of medicine is a succession of advances, innovations and discoveries that have shaped our knowledge of anatomy and our healthcare practices for millennia. From ancient civilizations to the present day, each era has brought its own share of medical knowledge and techniques, contributing to improved health and longer life expectancy. From the first rudimentary attempts at healing in prehistoric times to the revolutionary advances of modern medicine, each stage of this evolution has been marked by challenges, successes and failures. Today, we enjoy the fruits of this long history, with increasingly sophisticated and effective care, supported by cutting-edge technologies and a deeper understanding of disease mechanisms. Yet even in this ever-changing medical landscape, one challenge persists: the obsolescence of medical devices. This obsolescence, defined as the depreciation of medical equipment due to technical evolution, poses unique challenges for healthcare practitioners and medical institutions. In this article, following an overview of developments in medicine, we will explore the causes of medical device obsolescence, its implications for healthcare, and strategies for dealing with it in an ever-changing world.