Impact of technology overlapping: a case study on colorectal cancer screening.

OBJECTIVES Technology overlapping is a phenomenon based on the availability of different technologies to treat the same morbidity in the same patient group. The aim of this study was to explore the cost-effectiveness of technology overlapping in a case study on colorectal cancer (CRC), and describe an approach to investigate the phenomena and to propose adequate interventions. METHODS A Semi-Markov model, based on a cohort of 10,000 people undergoing a CRC diagnostic test, was developed to simulate the overlapping phenomena and compare it with hypothetical scenarios where only one diagnostic tool is available. Deterministic sensitivity analyses were conducted on parameters with the greatest uncertainty. RESULTS The results of the Semi-Markov model indicated that technology overlapping is not cost-effective. CONCLUSIONS This study is a first attempt to address the significance of technology overlapping. The Semi-Markov model demonstrated that technology overlapping is the least cost-effective arm, so alternate health care policies must be investigated.