Medical technology horizon scanning

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Health Technology Assessment
• Innovation Management

Background:

• Horizon scanning is crucial for identifying and evaluating emerging medical technologies.
• The medical industry increasingly relies on proactive assessment of technological advancements.
• Understanding the role of professionals in this process is essential for effective innovation management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the potential role of biomedical engineers in horizon scanning for new medical technologies.
• To evaluate the utility and effectiveness of engaging biomedical engineers in this activity.
• To introduce a practical methodology for horizon scanning of emerging medical technologies.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature review approach was employed for information gathering.
• Publications were scanned across diverse sources to ensure comprehensive coverage.
• Literature was assessed against fixed benchmarks to evaluate the quality of published information and reported achievements.

Main Results:

• The proposed horizon scanning methodology was successfully applied in a real-world study.
• The methodology provided valuable insights for advising a Government agency.
• The study focused on the status of remote patient monitoring technology.

Conclusions:

• Biomedical engineers possess the skills to contribute significantly to horizon scanning efforts.
• The introduced methodology offers a structured framework for evaluating emerging medical technologies.
• Effective horizon scanning by biomedical engineers can inform policy and strategic decisions in healthcare.