Slide Presentation of the 2007 Annual Meeting of AHRQ

Evidence Challenges

• Availability of evidence
  • Needs for evidence are increasing
  • Large gaps in the existing literature
  • Limited generalizability of trials data to real-world practice
  • Unique challenges of devices
    • Distinguishing operator vs. product effects
    • Short product life-cycles
    • Feasibility of RCTs
• Conclusions from the evidence
  • Reconciling "average" population effects with individual effects
  • "Shelf-life" of evidence
• Practical use of evidence
  • Application of evidence to real-world medical decisions
  • Provider "accountability" for using evidence