Advances in medical care ensure that with the passage
of time we are increasingly able to effectively tackle diverse
medical problems. These advances, however, do come at a cost
and the benefits derived need to be assessed on a regular basis.
The ability to increase longevity and hold disease progression
at bay needs to be balanced against the ensuing quality of life of
the subject, the long term demands on the individual, and on the
healthcare system. The financial implications for the individual
and the state as well as the ultimate well being of the individual
and of society need to be included in the increasingly complex
equation that constitutes healthcare provision.peer-reviewe
