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Contested Technologies: Social Construction of Cardiac Stents in India

Author Affiliations

  • 1Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India

Int. Res. J. Social Sci., Volume 14, Issue (3), Pages 1-12, July,14 (2025)

Abstract

The contribution of science and technology, especially in medicines and allied fields, has impacted human life significantly. Research on drugs and medical devices has today revolutionized the medical field and has provided a deeper connection between science and society. This study is on a medical device called 'cardiac stent' and looks at it from the perspective of science and technology studies (STS). It explores how it is constructed socially and has become the only major, emergency cardiac intervention available for cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients. With the use of the social construction of technology (SCOT) approach, this study locates the relevant social groups (RSGs) associated with this technology- cardiac stents, their interpretive flexibility, contestation, negotiations, and finally, how they arrived at a consensus and finally stabilize this technology in India. The present study highlights the concerns about the suitability, efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and government regulations on cardiac stents' and adds literature to the medical devices field in the domain of science, technology, and society in India.

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