Many examples of successful surgical innovations exist. Unfortunately, there are also less successful innovations, for example those associated with health risks.
Developing an innovation is time consuming and costly. It is therefore important that it brings added value once it is finished. At the start of the innovation process, it is hard to determine the potential added value. This is because the innovation has to be developed and tested before its safety and effectiveness can be determined. Luckily, modelling studies can help by simulating the functioning of the innovation in clinical practice. This thesis shows that modelling studies can be used from the start of the innovation process to explore the added value. The results can be used to steer the development of the innovation towards valuable and affordable interventions.
Mirre Scholte (1992) studied biomedical sciences at the Radboud University with a specialization in health technology assessment (HTA) during her masters. After completing her studies, she started her PhD research at the Evidence Based Surgery group within the Radboudumc. She continues her work within the HTA field as researcher at the department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment of the Maastricht UMC+.