Search

The field of modeling and simulation including digital twins (DT) is getting a lot of traction in the health sector, with various benefits being outlined. Indeed, DT are designed to support the transformation of healthcare, ranging from the medical act itself to the organization of healthcare systems and hospitals, also including medical research. However, the technology is still in its infancy and needs to be evaluated according to medical standards. First and foremost, their clinical value remains to be assessed, taking into account the limits associated with AI tools. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the use cases being tested in hospital settings. We go back to the definition of the DT concept and provide a summary of current studies. Finally, we outline the challenges to be taken into account in order to provide a framework for the deployment of DT tools, guaranteeing the trust and safety of those involved, especially of patients., (© 2023 médecine/sciences – Inserm.)

Objectives: To report on a workshop, and subsequent discussions, that reviewed the achievements and progress of the EuroScan collaboration since its establishment in 1999 to share information on the methods and results of early identification and assessment of new and emerging health technologies; considered challenges to the collaboration; and discussed its possible future direction., Methods: A workshop was held in Stockholm in September 2006, with thirty-two participants from ten countries and representatives from EuroScan member agencies, policy makers involved in policy or decision making relating to new technologies, and invited external commentators from international HTA networks. The workshop used a mix of presentations, panel and audience discussions, and small group work to consider the achievements and challenges put forward., Results: EuroScan has developed as a sustainable network, and has made progress on all tasks in its initial action plan, with the EuroScan information sharing database on new and emerging technologies being one of the collaboration's key achievements. Identified immediate concerns for the network included consideration of the impact of its current name and membership model; acknowledgement and publication of the full range of benefits of membership; contribution to and development of the database to encourage increased information sharing; and EuroScan's ongoing interaction with the wider HTA world., Conclusions: The workshop was a useful mechanism for reviewing the work of EuroScan and for creating a platform to take the collaboration forward. The workshop affirmed the benefits of the network to individual members; posed some significant challenges to the network to consider; and acted as a stimulus for an interim name change to better represent the global membership, and a major review of the EuroScan database of identified and assessed emerging health technologies.

Unlabelled: ALTERNATIVE TO SURGERY: New stereotactic guided breast biopsy procedures may constitute a major issue for the diagnosis of non-palpable breast lesions detected at mammography by eliminating the need for surgery in many women with benign breast disease., Indications: Vacuum-assisted core biopsies provide more complete sampling than the conventional 14-gauge stereo-tactic core biopsies, reducing the number of unsatisfactory biopsies. The more invasive advanced breast biopsy device obtains an intact lesion in its entirety for histological assessment. Currently, there is no definite strategy delineating the precise indications for the diagnosis of screening detected abnormalities., Perspectives: Because of the increase of the diagnostic armamentarium, care of women with non-palpable breast lesions should be multidisciplinary, involving radiologist, surgeons and histologists and rigorous medical and economic evaluation of diagnostic strategies involving these new health technologies should be pursued.