And technology assessment

Jischa gives an overview of sustainable development and technology assessment, particularly from the German point of view and reviewing the German initiatives... 

Goodin DS, Frohman EM, Garmany GR et al. Disease modifying therapies in multiple sclerosis report of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the MS Council for Clinical Practice Guidelines. Neurology 2002 58 169-178. 

Zhang Y, Dube MA, Mclean DD, Kates M (2003) Biodiesel production from waste cooking oil 1 Process design and technological assessment. Biores Tech 89 1-16... 

Van H. W. Materials Balance and Technology Assessment of Mercury and its Compound on National and Regional Bases. EPA 560/3-75-007. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, 1975. 

HSTAT is a free, Web-based resource that provides access to full-text documents used in healthcare decision-making.14 These documents include clinical practice guidelines, quick-reference guides for clinicians, consumer health brochures, evidence reports and technology assessments from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), as well as AHRQ s Put Prevention Into Practice.15 Simply search by isobutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (or synonyms) at the following Web site http //text.nlm.nih.gov. 

Other important documents in HSTAT include the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Conference Reports and Technology Assessment Reports the HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Service (ATIS) resource documents the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (SAMHSA/CSAT) Treatment Improvement Protocols (TIP) and Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (SAMHSA/CSAP) Prevention Enhancement Protocols System (PEPS) the Public Health Service (PHS) Preventive Services Task Force s Guide to Clinical Preventive Services the independent, nonfederal Task Force on Community Services Guide to Community Preventive Services and the Health Technology Advisory Committee (HTAC) of the Minnesota Health Care Commission (MHCC) health technology evaluations. 

What is required is a form of resource and technology assessment. This could be summarized in a matrix in which the potential of each resource and technology can be quantified and charted. This matrix is shown in figure 2 the items in each column are illustrative and the lists are by no means exhaustive. The identification of R D requirements then requires a techno-economic assessment of the possibility of different pathways through the matrix, and is the product of (Resource) (Transport) (Conversion Technology) (Transport) (End Use). 

Robert A. Freeman is a 20-year veteran of the global pharmaceutical industry, having led public policy and health economics groups for a number of companies. He is currently Principal of the Freeman Group LLC, a consultancy to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries. He has widely published in the fields of pharmaceutical policy, industry economics, and technology assessment, and holds adjunct faculty appointments at the Thomas Jefferson University Department of Health Policy and The University of Maryland Center on Drugs and Public Policy. 

The philosophy of evidence-based practice is widely accepted, although operational and implementation issues represent major barriers. One of the significant barriers is a shortage of evidence reports on topics of critical interest, and the lack of a national infrastructure to prepare such reports. In response to this need, AHRQ has funded 12 Evidence-based Practice Centers to conduct systematic, comprehensive analyses and syntheses of the scientific literature to develop evidence reports and technology assessments on clinical topics that are common, expensive, and present challenges to decision makers. Since December 1998, 11 evidence reports have been released on topics that include sleep apnea, traumatic brain injury, alcohol dependence, cervical cytology, urinary tract infection, depression, dysphasia, sinusitis, stable angina, testosterone suppression, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. 

Managed care systems offer innovative pharmacy practice positions in such areas as pharmacoeconomics, disease state management, outcomes research, wellness program management, and technology assessment. For individuals willing to expand their pharmacy practice and develop new skills, these positions can offer unique opportunities and growth. 

AHRQ has established 12 Evidence-Based Practice Centers to analyze and synthesize the scientific literature and develop evidence reports and technology assessments on clinical topics. 

Part of the UK National Health Service (NHS). Provides guidelines and technology assessments to health care practitioners (http //nice.org.uk). 

Hallett M, Litvan I, Task Force on Surgery for Parkinson s Disease. Evaluation of surgery for Parkinson s disease A report of the therapeutics and technology assessment subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology 1999 53 1910-1921. 

Center for Practice and Technology Assessment Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR)... 

Example Application 1 The EndoTester —A Virtual Instrument-Based Quality Control and Technology Assessment System for Surgical Video Systems Example Application 2 PIVIT —... 

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