Principles for evaluating the clinical implementation of novel digital healthcare devices

Article information

J Korean Med Assoc. 2018;61(12):765-775

Publication date (electronic) : 2018 December 17

doi : https://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2018.61.12.765

¹Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

²Department of Radiology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

³Withsim Clinic, Seongnam, Korea

⁴Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, Korea

⁵Department of Radiology and Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea

⁶Department of Radiology, SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

⁷Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

⁸Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Corresponding author: Joo Hyeong Oh E-mail: ohjh6108@gmail.com

Received 2018 November 22; Accepted 2018 December 03.

Abstract

With growing interest in novel digital healthcare devices, such as artificial intelligence (AI) software for medical diagnosis and prediction, and their potential impacts on healthcare, discussions have taken place regarding the regulatory approval, coverage, and clinical implementation of these devices. Despite their potential, ‘digital exceptionalism’ (i.e., skipping the rigorous clinical validation of such digital tools) is creating significant concerns for patients and healthcare stakeholders. This white paper presents the positions of the Korean Society of Radiology, a leader in medical imaging and digital medicine, on the clinical validation, regulatory approval, coverage decisions, and clinical implementation of novel digital healthcare devices, especially AI software for medical diagnosis and prediction, and explains the scientific principles underlying those positions. Mere regulatory approval by the Food and Drug Administration of Korea, the United States, or other countries should be distinguished from coverage decisions and widespread clinical implementation, as regulatory approval only indicates that a digital tool is allowed for use in patients, not that the device is beneficial or recommended for patient care. Coverage or widespread clinical adoption of AI software tools should require a thorough clinical validation of safety, high accuracy proven by robust external validation, documented benefits for patient outcomes, and cost-effectiveness. The Korean Society of Radiology puts patients first when considering novel digital healthcare tools, and as an impartial professional organization that follows scientific principles and evidence, strives to provide correct information to the public, make reasonable policy suggestions, and build collaborative partnerships with industry and government for the good of our patients.

Keywords: Software validation; Device approval; Insurance coverage; Artificial intelligence

Figure 1.

Hierarchy of artificial intelligence-related terms.

Figure 2.

Brief schematic summary of the processes for evaluating a novel health technology used by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) and the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency (NECA).

Table 1.

A checklist for robust clinical validation of the performance of a machine-learning algorithm

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