The 320-page report, "Identifying Health Technologies that Work: Searching for Evidence," by the Office of Technology Assessment, has significant implications for both researchers and health policy makers ...
The Office of Technology Assessment found that the hopes for effectiveness research are not misplaced, but they have been overly optimistic and often misdirected, the report concludes. It will not necessarily reduce health care costs significantly ... The analysis of large databases ... has proved not to be a particularly useful tool in providing valid, believable answers about comparative effectiveness. The report suggests that experimental research based on randomized, controlled trials might provide more valid results.
Clinical practice guidelines themselves came under fire in the Office of Technology Assessment report because of how they are developed and disseminated. Simply issuing them to physicians often has no effect, and unless they promote "extremely compelling" practices or are issued by credible organizations, they may have the unintended effects as clinicians try to circumvent them ...
The report is available for $20 from the US Government Printing Office. S/N 052-003-01389-4. Call 202/512-1800.
Finding a balance: Computer software, intellectual property and the challenge of technological change