New medical technologies emerge constantly, requiring systematic evaluation before adoption. Critical assessment ensures technologies improve care and justify costs while avoiding premature adoption of unproven innovations.
Evidence Standards for Medical Technology
Evaluate medical technology using rigorous criteria. Review clinical trial data—are there randomized controlled trials or only observational studies? Assess outcome measures—do devices improve patient-centered outcomes or just surrogate markers? Consider generalizability—do study populations match your patient demographics? Examine safety data including adverse events and failure rates. Check regulatory status—FDA approval type indicates evidence rigor. Be skeptical of manufacturer-funded studies without independent validation. Strong evidence requires multiple well-designed studies from independent investigators.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
New technologies often cost significantly more than standard approaches. Calculate cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Technologies costing under $50,000 per QALY typically considered cost-effective, above $150,000 questionable. However, consider budget impact—even cost-effective technologies may be unaffordable at scale. Compare to existing alternatives—incremental benefit must justify incremental cost. Sometimes older technologies work adequately at fraction of cost. Balance innovation enthusiasm with stewardship of limited healthcare resources.