The public research project “Survey of Medical Assessment for Robotic Technology (SMART)” was jointly initiated by the Peking University Institute for Global Health and Development (GHD) and the China Association of Medical Equipment. The SMART project aims to systematically track the clinical practices and development trends of medical robots through real-world nationwide cohort surveys and health technology assessments. By scientifically analyzing the value of innovative medical technologies, the project seeks to advance value-based digital healthcare applications and promote global health development. To support the SMART project, GHD launched a one-year parallel studies program, selecting and funding outstanding proposals annually on the health technology assessment (HTA) of surgical robots. In 2023-2024, eight parallel studies were funded. Recently, the SMART project solicited proposals for the 2024-2025 parallel research program, receiving 14 submissions from excellent research teams both domestically and internationally. A panel of 10 leading experts in HTA from hospitals and universities worldwide reviewed the proposals. The evaluations covered multiple dimensions, including feasibility, scientific significance, value, and research foundation. Based on these reviews, four projects were ultimately selected for the 2024-2025 SMART parallel studies program. The selected projects are as follows:
1. Study on learning curve, clinical efficacy and health economics of robot-assisted lumbar surgery compared with traditional surgery
PI: LIN Shujun, Peking University Institute for Global Health and Development
2. Real-world data-based technical assessment and clinical application study of robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery for cervical cancer
PI: PU Kexue, Institute of Medical Data Research, Chongqing Medical University
3. Real-world data-based vlinical evaluation of robotic-assisted distal pancreatectomy
PI: XU Qiang, Department of Basic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital
4. Real-world data-based health economics evaluation of orthopedic robotic-assisted surgery
PI: ZHANG Gongzi, First Medical Center of China PLA General Hospital
Congratulations to the above teams!
