Although innovation in health care is often equated with technology, it is in fact a change that may refer to products and/or processes (OECD, 2005). An innovation may be radical (e.g., the discovery of x-rays) or incremental (e.g., the refinement of computed tomography scanners). It may emerge from the private or the public sector, or from an alliance between the two. It may have been designed by experts such as engineers and scientists, or by non-technical end-users (e.g., physicians, patients, disabled persons).

Le développement d’une nouvelle technologie requiert du temps, de l’énergie et des investissements importants. Plusieurs années et plusieurs millions de dollars y seront engloutis. L’aventure est également risquée puisqu’à tout moment, le développement de l’innovation peut échouer.

When thinking about the social and political implications of health innovations, one cannot assume that they solely materialize around technology or after its implementation. Rather, they are part of a given innovation. There is indeed no technology without sociopolitical properties, since both its existence and use require the support of social groups who invest financial and human resources and engage into power relations.

Les listes d’attentes sont devenues des sujets de préoccupations importants pour les Canadiens. L’accès aux soins est un sujet récurent dans les médias.