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Health care technology assessment. Basic principles and clinical applications
Kevin J Bozic1, Read G Pierce, James H Herndon
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143-0728, USA. bozick@orthosurg.ucsf.edu
Summary
Healthcare technology significantly drives US healthcare spending, often without proven patient benefits. Orthopaedic surgeons can engage in technology assessment to influence policy on adopting new musculoskeletal treatments.
Area of Science:
- Health economics
- Medical innovation
- Orthopaedic surgery
Background:
- Healthcare technology is a major contributor to rising healthcare costs in the US.
- Many new technologies lack evidence of improved patient outcomes.
- Orthopaedic surgeons face scrutiny over adopting new musculoskeletal treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the role of health care technology assessment (HCTA) in orthopaedic surgery.
- To inform orthopaedic surgeons about HCTA principles and their importance.
- To empower surgeons to influence technology adoption and policy.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on healthcare technology and its impact.
- Explanation of health care technology assessment concepts.
- Discussion of the multidisciplinary evaluation of safety, efficacy, and economic aspects.
Main Results:
- Healthcare technology adoption often outpaces evidence of clinical benefit.
- HCTA provides a framework for evaluating new and existing technologies.
- Understanding HCTA enables informed participation in decision-making.
Conclusions:
- Orthopaedic surgeons can actively participate in health care technology assessment.
- Informed assessment influences clinical practice and health policy.
- Strategic engagement ensures responsible adoption of orthopaedic technologies.