The demand, supply and provision system of the rehabilitation technology market in Europe

Abstract

Modelling of the rehabilitation (assistive) technology (RT) market, as introduced in this paper, facilitates a multi-disciplinary and formal analysis of the RT domain, by identifying and interrelating the appropriate abstract entities whose value and relevance are widely appreciated. In particular, three notions are explored, namely, the demand for RT goods, the provision system and the supply of RT goods. Demand and supply are modelled in terms of the key elements which can be extracted from the environment of a demand-related or a supply-related actor respectively. The provision system, on the other hand, is analysed adopting a systems approach, being considered as a complex 'human activity system' whose functional purpose can be described in terms of a dynamic interaction between the field actors, the activities they engage in and the relevant set of factors which affect the system's behaviour.