Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rcrh6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T15:46:51.730Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

A preliminary survey on the influence of rapid health technology assessments

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 July 2009

David Hailey*
Affiliation:
Institute of Health Economics

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to obtain information on rapid health technology assessments (HTAs) prepared by members of the International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment (INAHTA).

Methods: A questionnaire was prepared, drawing on earlier INAHTA documents for recording HTA impact. A request for responses was sent to member agencies, seeking information on rapid HTA reports prepared during 2006.

Results: Responses were provided on fifteen rapid HTAs, which covered both new and widely distributed technologies. The most common purpose for the HTAs (n = 8) was to inform coverage decisions, but other reasons included capital funding, formulary decisions, referral for treatment, program operation, guideline formulation, influence on routine practice, and indications for further research. All the rapid HTAs were considered by the agencies to have had some influence. The most common indications of influence were consideration by the decision maker, use of the HTA as reference material (both n = 10), and acceptance of recommendations or conclusions (n = 8).

Conclusions: Rapid HTAs are used for a broad range of technologies, to inform several types of decision, and are effective in informing the decision-making process. Supplementation of their findings by further assessments will be appropriate in some cases.

Type
Research Reports
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Perceptions of Australian health technology assessments: Report of a survey. Int J Technol Assess Health Care. 1993;9:588590.Google Scholar
2. Ehlers, L, Vestergaard, M, Kidholm, K, et al. Doing mini-health technology assessments in hospitals: A new concept of decision support in health care? Int J Technol Assess Health Care. 2006;22:295301.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3. Hailey, D, Corabian, P, Harstall, C, Schneider, W. The use and impact of rapid health technology assessments. Int J Technol Assess Health Care. 2000;16:651656.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4. McGregor, M, Brophy, JM. End-user involvement in health technology assessment (HTA) development: A way to increase impact. Int J Technol Assess Health Care. 2005;21:263267.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5. Watt, A, Cameron, A, Sturm, L, et al. Rapid versus full systematic reviews: An inventory of current methods and practice in Health Technology Assessment. Int J Technol Assess Health Care. 2008;24:133139.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed