Health technology assessment

Faggan Singh Kulaste addressing at the inauguration of the DHR-ICMR- iDSI International Workshop on “Health Technology Assessment-Awareness and Topic Selection”, in New Delhi

Health technology assessment (HTA) is a multidisciplinary process that uses systematic and transparent methods to evaluate the properties, effects, and/or impacts of health technology. The primary purpose of HTA is to inform decision-making in healthcare, particularly regarding the allocation of resources and the adoption of new technologies.

Overview

HTA involves the evaluation of medical, social, economic, and ethical issues related to the use of a health technology. It aims to provide evidence-based information to policymakers, healthcare providers, and patients to support informed decision-making.

Components of HTA

HTA typically includes the following components:

• Clinical effectiveness: Assessment of the health outcomes and benefits of a technology compared to existing alternatives.
• Safety: Evaluation of the potential risks and adverse effects associated with the technology.
• Cost-effectiveness: Analysis of the economic impact, including cost-benefit and cost-utility analyses.
• Ethical, legal, and social implications: Consideration of the broader societal impacts, including ethical and legal issues.

Methods

HTA employs various methods to gather and analyze data, including:

• Systematic reviews of existing literature
• Meta-analysis
• Economic evaluations
• Health impact assessments
• Expert opinions and Delphi methods

Applications

HTA is used in various contexts, including:

• Drug evaluation and approval
• Medical device assessment
• Public health interventions
• Health policy development

Organizations Involved in HTA

Several organizations are involved in conducting HTA, including:

• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the United Kingdom
• Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) in Canada
• Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) in Germany

Challenges and Future Directions

HTA faces several challenges, such as:

• Rapidly evolving health technologies
• Variability in healthcare systems and practices
• Balancing cost and quality of care

Future directions for HTA include the integration of real-world evidence, the use of big data and machine learning, and the incorporation of patient-reported outcomes.

See Also

• Health economics
• Evidence-based medicine
• Pharmacoeconomics
• Health policy