Editorial Commentary: Adoption of New Medical Technology Requires Replication of Consistent Results Across Multiple Studies: Biologic Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis.

Abstract

Determining when to adopt new treatment methods in a clinical practice is a challenging undertaking. Uncertain outcomes of emerging technology can undermine the impartial assessment of risk and benefit. "Optimism bias" can lead to premature adoption of technology. An additional risk is that influential colleagues often persuade clinicians to innovate. "Replicability" or obtaining consistent results across studies aimed at answering the same scientific question must be a goal prior to adoption of innovative devices and treatments. The ability to replicate the results by a separate research group in a similar population with different input data is critical to gaining acceptance from providers without a personal stake in the development of technology.