Table 1 Overview of research themes and questions regarding early assessment
From: A qualitative exploration of early assessment of innovative medical technologies
Theme | Questions |
|---|---|
1) Context | What is the time horizon in the developmental process? How many technologies/ideas do you evaluate in one year – rough estimate of the size of your portfolio of projects? |
2) Foundation/basis for decision making | Is there an approach/template for early assessments? Do you use a fixed/systematic procedure? What are the dimensions/inputs in the early assessment - Which components are used? • Do you use qualitative data/information? • Do you use quantitative data/information? • Is there an economic calculation (even simple) in the pilot phase? • Are expected clinical effects included early – for example mortality, amputations, admissions? Do you perform risk/uncertainty assessments? |
3) Process and structure of early assessment | Which phases are used in the developmental process? Are there stop/go decisions in the process of development – what are they based on? Do you update your assessments regularly – how often? Who decides whether to continue an innovation - who makes the go/no-go decision? How do you decide which effects to include? Success ratea: Which proportion of projects/ideas survives the “pilot phase” and achieves routine use or commercialisation? |
4) Perceptions | Relevance and satisfaction with the used method? What are the pros? And what are the cons (wish list)? |