A toolkit for the identification and assessment of new and emerging health technologies

Abstract

The first toolkit for the identification and assessment of new and emerging health technologies was developed by members of the EuroScan International Network and published in 2009. Five years later this revised toolkit continues to focus on methods that are integral to an early awareness and alert (EAA) system. It is once again a collaborative piece of work to which all members have contributed with new information based on their experiences being added.
The main stages involved in EAA systems continue to be: identification of information on new and emerging technologies (horizon scanning); filtration and prioritisation of the identified information; and assessment of the technology or group of technologies. The toolkit provides guidance on these stages and highlights the various approaches that can be taken at each of these stages depending on the context of the EAA system and resources available.