Thermography--wither the niche?
OBJECTIVE
To review the current medical and legal status and future directions of thermography.


METHODS
Medical and legal journals published from 1956 onwards; report of the United States Office of Health Technology Assessment and personal communication with the author of that report; report of Australian Institute of Health and personal communication with the author; personal communication with members of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee, American College of Neurology and with the Chairperson of the Commission of Technology Assessment and Efficacy Studies, American College of Radiology.


METHODS
Reports and position statements of statutory bodies and specialist colleges in the United States and Australia; legal judgments in both these countries.


CONCLUSIONS
Acceptance of thermography is largely confined to those who use it and profit by its use.
Awerbuch
M S
MS
Pain Management Unit, Memorial Medical Centre, North Adelaide, SA.
D001315:Australia; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013817:Thermography / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends*; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States; D014491:United States Office of Technology Assessment