Amid the growth in precision medicine, a new CADTH report unpacks the hype from hope about these technologies and highlights the issues that could influence their adoption
Tests that could alter traditional pathways for cancer care. Tools that offer access to genetic test results and ways to engage with health care professionals. Tests that could predict which medications are a right fit for people with mental health conditions.
According to a newly published report from CADTH, these are among the top 5 health technologies to watch within precision medicine — an innovative approach to treatment and medicine that considers a person’s unique genes, characteristics, and environment to inform and tailor their care.
Beyond identifying the top technologies that have the most potential to transform health systems over the next 5 years, the report also highlights the top 5 issues that crosscut the broader scope of precision medicine and could limit health systems from realizing the full potential of these advancements. These issues include disparities in access and use, increased demands on health system capacity and infrastructure, and challenges in regulating and evaluating these technologies.
“Precision medicine represents one of the next big shifts in health care and it will significantly impact how we deliver care and the demands placed on our health systems,” said Lesley Dunfield, CADTH’s Vice-President, Medical Devices and Clinical Interventions. “This report sheds light on the novel technologies that we should be paying attention to because they are most likely to alter current workflows and change how we diagnose and treat many illnesses.”
The top 5 precision medicine technologies identified by CADTH are:
The top 5 issues to watch are:
CADTH is a not-for-profit organization responsible for providing Canada’s health care decision-makers with objective evidence to help make informed decisions about the optimal use of drugs and medical devices in our health care system. CADTH receives funding from Canada’s federal, provincial, and territorial governments, with the exception of Quebec. For further information: Marketing and Communications, media@cadth.ca, (613) 614-6863.