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When Is the ‘right’ Time to Initiate an Assessment of a Health Technology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 March 2009

Graham Mowatt ,
D. Jane Bower ,
John A. Brebner ,
John A. Cairns ,
Adrian M. Grant  and
Lorna Mckee
Graham Mowatt
Affiliation:
University of Aberdeen
D. Jane Bower
Affiliation:
Kinnell Technologies
John A. Brebner
Affiliation:
University of Aberdeen
John A. Cairns
Affiliation:
University of Aberdeen
Adrian M. Grant
Affiliation:
University of Aberdeen
Lorna Mckee
Affiliation:
University of Aberdeen
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Abstract

There is currently no generally accepted formula for the optimal timing of health technology assessments (HTAs). This paper presents some of the relevant issues and then reviews the existing literature on timing of HTAs. It finds that the literature that specifically addresses these issues is limited. There is a consensus that HTAs should be initiated at an early stage of the development of a new health technology, and repeated during the life cycle of the technology. However, the questions of reliably identifying new technologies at an early stage in their development and of deciding on a detectable critical point for starting evaluation are not resolved. It is proposed that a system of categorization and prioritization of health technologies should be developed to allow decisions to be made as to when a strongly precautionary approach is required and how the limited resources available for HTA could be optimally deployed.

Type
General Essays
Information
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care , Volume 14 , Issue 2 , Spring 1998 , pp. 372 - 386
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1998

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