Health care technology (defined as all drugs, devices, and medical and
surgical procedures used in medical care as well as the organizational and
supportive systems within which such care is provided) is widely regarded as
an important driver of escalating health care spending in the United
States.
Many new health care technologies are adopted and used in clinical practice
with little or no evidence that their use is associated with improved patient
outcomes.
Orthopaedic surgeons are facing increasing scrutiny from hospitals and
payers regarding the adoption and use of new technology for the treatment of
patients with musculoskeletal disease.
Health care technology assessment is a growing field that is concerned with
the multidisciplinary evaluation of clinical data on the basis of safety and
efficacy as well as economic aspects of technology acquisition.
Through an understanding of the relevant literature and the concepts of
health care technology assessment, orthopaedic surgeons have an opportunity to
participate in the assessment process and thus influence clinical and health
policy decisions regarding the adoption and use of new and existing
technologies in the field of orthopaedic surgery.