Evaluating Emerging Technologies: Is the Future Now?? Elise Berliner, PhD Director, Technology Assessment Program Center for Outcomes and Evidence

Proton Therapy: “the technology and machinery looks like something that should be operated by Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy on ‘Star Trek’.” Proton Therapy: “the technology and machinery looks like something that should be operated by Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy on ‘Star Trek’.” Jacksonville Financial News and Daily Record, 8/15/2008 Jacksonville Financial News and Daily Record, 8/15/2008 Fetal Surgery: “it is both amazing and troubling, something one sees on “Star Trek” rather than the hospital around the corner” Fetal Surgery: “it is both amazing and troubling, something one sees on “Star Trek” rather than the hospital around the corner” Monica Casper, The Making of an Unborn Patient: A Social Anatomy of Fetal Surgery, page 2 Monica Casper, The Making of an Unborn Patient: A Social Anatomy of Fetal Surgery, page 2

Issues in Evaluation of New Technology When is the right time to assess new technology? When is the right time to assess new technology? – “too early”: not enough data, effect on innovation? – “too late”: technologies diffuse into clinical practice, often without strong evidence of effectiveness How can the methods of systematic review be applied to early stage technologies (AHRQ tech brief process) How can the methods of systematic review be applied to early stage technologies (AHRQ tech brief process) What are the issues in carrying out clinical evaluation of emerging technologies (MOMS trial case study)? What are the issues in carrying out clinical evaluation of emerging technologies (MOMS trial case study)?

Presentations Technical Brief on Particle Beam Radiation Treatments for Cancer Technical Brief on Particle Beam Radiation Treatments for Cancer – Tom Trikalinos, Tufts Evidence-based Practice Center Technical Brief on Fetal Surgery Technical Brief on Fetal Surgery – Katherine Hartmann, Vanderbilt Evidence-based Practice Center The MOMS Trial of Fetal Surgery for Myelomeningocele The MOMS Trial of Fetal Surgery for Myelomeningocele – Susan Tolivaisa, National Institutes of Health

Questions for Discussion What are the strengths and limitations of the tech brief process? What are the strengths and limitations of the tech brief process? At what stage in technology development should a tech brief be initiated? At what stage in technology development should a tech brief be initiated? – Timing of publication of new studies How can stakeholders use the results of tech briefs? How can stakeholders use the results of tech briefs?

Questions for Discussion Should medical innovation be deployed as medical research or as medical practice? Should medical innovation be deployed as medical research or as medical practice? What are the thresholds and models for oversight? What are the thresholds and models for oversight? What information should be disclosed to patients? What information should be disclosed to patients? Is there a professional duty to learn and to educate other practitioners? Is there a professional duty to learn and to educate other practitioners? Questions from Margaret Eaton and Donald Kennedy “Innovation in Medical Technology, Ethical Issues and Challenges”

Contact Elise Berliner