Objective health care technology evaluation--it isn't easy.
Although creation of sophisticated technologies in health care has been one of the most significant social developments of the last decades, evaluation of the health effects is essential to avoid misallocation of resources. Evaluation today depends on various scientific tools: epidemiologic methods provide benchmarks for measuring efficacy; biomedical models define subgroups for whom an intervention is worthwhile. Standardized rules for the conduct of clinical trials and statistical analysis help assure replicability and strive for objectivity. An economic bottom line assesses cost effectiveness in terms of life years saved or improved quality of life. Subjective biases that come from the socioeconomic context in which assessments are embedded should be recognized and defused.
Muller
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Department of Community Medicine, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029.
D000367:Age Factors; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006268:Health Facilities; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical