How much high technology should there be?

People are ambivalent about high technology medicine. Unnecessary deaths and preventable disability are sometimes blamed on access to technology having been delayed or denied. But when used to extend only briefly the lives of the hopelessly ill technology is sometimes held to have caused needless distress to patients and families. Such use is also a waste of resources, as is the unnecessary use of diagnostic technology. So health authorities are often accused of under‐provision of high technology, while doctors are more often criticised for over‐use of what has been provided.