An evidence-based approach to the adoption of new technology.
New orthopaedic technology is constantly being developed to help improve patient care. New technology may lead to a waste of resources or lead to harm for the patient if it is not properly evaluated before it is accepted as a standard of care. The purpose of this article is to assess how new technology can be implemented safely while maintaining an environment that allows for surgical innovation through an evidence-based approach. Although randomized controlled trials (Level-I evidence) are typically seen as the so-called gold standard with regard to treatment efficacy, randomized trials may not be the most effective form of evaluating a new technology. In many circumstances, a prospective cohort series or large registry that documents outcomes and adverse events may be more effective and practical for the evaluation of a new surgical technology.
Ahn
Henry
H
Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, St. Michael's Hospital, 55 Queen Street East, Suite 800, Toronto, ON M5C 1R6, Canada. ahnh@smh.toronto.on.ca
Bhandari
Mohit
M
Schemitsch
Emil H
EH
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D009985:Orthopedics; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical