Access with evidence development: an approach to introducing promising new technologies into healthcare.

Abstract

The rapid development of new health technologies for which there is limited, but promising, evidence has resulted in a daunting challenge - to provide care that meets population health needs and optimizes patient outcomes, demonstrates an efficient use of healthcare resources, and upholds basic principles of equity, access, and choice. In this paper, we introduce 'Access with Evidence Development' as a possible mechanism for addressing this challenge and discuss its application to the "Zamboni procedure" for Multiple Sclerosis.