The California Technology Assessment Forum (CTAF) is a public service forum that assesses new and emerging medical technology.
What the Forum Is
- A community forum dedicated to objectivity and transparency regarding medical technologies
- A community forum for dialog and decisions regarding the safety and effectiveness of new and emerging technologies
- A response to the Institute of Medicine's Reports regarding patient safety and quality
- A public benefit for California
What the Forum Is Not
- A revenue-generating organization
- A consultant organization
- An endorser of specific technologies
- An organization that determines health plan benefit coverage
Why Do We Need Technology Assessment?
The rapid growth of new medical technologies represents the single most important change regarding how health care is delivered in America. These technologies and their widespread application are already having a significant effect on the health status of patients and consumers.
While the promise of new technologies is great, the risks of misuse and overuse are significant. The Institute of Medicine Reports of 1999 and 2001 highlight tremendous excess morbidity and mortality related in part to the inappropriate use of new technologies.
The reports recommend that increased objectivity and transparency regarding new technologies is one of the crucial changes needed for the restructuring of the American healthcare delivery system.
CTAF and Blue Shield of California Foundation
Blue Shield of California Foundation spearheads the California Technology Assessment Forum (CTAF) as an operating program of the Foundation’s Health and Technology grant-making program. The Health and Technology program funds organizations and innovative initiatives that work to protect patients by improving the quality and safety of their care. Grant-making efforts to promote evidence-based medical technology adoption emphasize capacity building, opinion leader education, and support for selected, high-priority technology evaluation efforts that advance the field.
