IFEDH

Author(s):  
Niki Popper ◽  
Florian Miksch ◽  
Günther Zauner ◽  
Harald Piringer ◽  
Ingrid Wilbacher ◽  
...  

Health Technology Assessment (HTA) provides information for decision-makers in the health care system. The consortium IFEDH (Innovative Framework for Evidence-based Decision Support in Healthcare) was formed in order to design a new strategy for the integration of modelling and simulation into the HTA process within limited resources whilst staying open to emerging new technologies. This aim resulted in a framework that consists of a standardized workflow, tasks, methods and good practices. Beginning with formalization of the underlying problem and identification of research questions, the process is followed by data acquisition and modelling and finally ends by generating results for decision support. Visualization and documentation are crucial tasks that support the whole process. Additionally, standards for modelling were defined and new general modelling concepts were developed. All these developments serve as a basis for fast, credible, evidence-based decision support for comparing various technologies in the health system.

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Marchetti ◽  
S Daugbjerg

Abstract Issue/problem National healthcare systems worldwide are at a critical point due to the fiscal sustainability challenges faced. At the same time, healthcare systems are under pressure to meet the global demand for adaptation of medical innovations arriving into the market persistently. Description of the problem Hospitals often serve as the entry point for new technologies to the healthcare system. It is therefore extremely important that Health Technology Assessments (HTA) are available in timely order to accurately inform decision-makers on both short- and long-term effects of a health technology to avoid inappropriate investments. Hospital based HTA (HB-HTA) was developed to accommodate the need for evidence-based hospital-specific information in a timely manner. A substantial increase in the use of HB-HTA has been observed in the last years. However, only few reports are being published. A database for the structured collection of HB-HTA reports could help the dissemination and collaboration between hospitals. Effects/changes A survey answered by an international group of experts knowledgeable in HB-HTA from eighteen different countries has showed that there is an interest to realize the collection and dissemination of HB-HTA reports on an international scale. However, confidentiality and resources for a database are barriers for the dissemination of HB-HTA reports. The challenge will therefore be to overcome these barriers and design a database containing high quality, comparable and complete HB-HTA reports with proper data security, regular maintenance and user support. Lessons International collaboration in HB-HTA is the key to timely inform decision-makers without compromising the quality of the data or the methodology.


2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew D. Mitchell ◽  
Kendal Williams ◽  
Gretchen Kuntz ◽  
Craig A. Umscheid

Objectives: Health systems frequently make decisions regarding acquisition and use of new technologies. It is desirable to base these decisions on clinical evidence, but often these technologies are used for multiple indications and evidence of effectiveness for one indication does not prove effectiveness for all. Here, we describe two examples of evidence inventory reports that were performed for the purposes of identifying how much and what type of published clinical evidence was available for a given technology, and the contexts in which those technologies were studied.Methods: The evidence inventory reports included literature searches for systematic reviews and health technology assessment (HTA) reports, and systematic searches of the primary literature intended to count and categorize published clinical studies. The reports did not include analysis of the primary literature.Results: The inventory reports were completed in 3 to 4 days each and were approximately ten pages in length, including references. Reports included tables listing the number of reported studies by specific indication for use, and whether or not there were randomized trials. Reports also summarized findings of existing systematic reviews and HTA reports, when available. Committees used the inventory reports to decide for which indications they wanted a full HTA report.Conclusions: Evidence inventory reports are a form of rapid HTA that can give decision makers a timely understanding of the available evidence upon which they can base a decision. They can help HTA providers focus subsequent reports on topics that will have the most influence on healthcare decision making.


2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 175-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet Martin ◽  
Julie Polisena ◽  
Nandini Dendukuri ◽  
Marc Rhainds ◽  
Laura Sampietro-Colom

Objectives: Canada has witnessed expansion of the health technology assessment (HTA) infrastructure in the last 25 years. Local HTA entities at the hospital or regional level are emerging to assist decision makers in the acquisition, implementation, maintenance, and disinvestment of healthcare technologies. There is a need to facilitate collaboration and exchange of expertise and knowledge between these entities regarding the role of local HTA in Canada.Methods: In November 2013, the pan-Canadian Collaborative hosted a symposium, Hospital/Regional HTA: Local Evidence-based Decisions for Health Care Sustainability, bringing together over 60 HTA producers, researchers, stakeholders, and manufacturers involved in local HTA across Canada. The objective was to showcase the diversity of local HTA in Canada, while highlighting common gaps to be addressed.Results: The Symposium focused on current practices in local HTA in Canada to support informed decision making, and opportunities for information sharing and provide equal access to timely evidence-based information to decision makers. The main themes included assessment of evidence for local HTA, contextualization, stakeholder engagement in local HTA, knowledge translation and impact of recommendations, and challenges and opportunities for local HTA.Conclusions: Local HTA in Canada complements HTAs conducted at the provincial and federal levels to improve the efficient and effective health service delivery in institutions or regions faced with limited resources. Some challenges faced by local HTA producers to influence hospital policies and clinical practice involve the engagement of healthcare professionals and potential lack of training and support necessary for the introduction of a new technology.


1997 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 220-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia Granados ◽  
Egon Jonsson ◽  
H. David Banta ◽  
Lisa Bero ◽  
Ann Bonair ◽  
...  

The objective of health technology assessment (HTA) is to support decision making in health care. HTA does not claim to provide a definite solution to a health care problem, but to assist decision makers with evidence-based information about the clinical, ethical, social, and economic implications of the development, diffusion, and use of health care technology.


1998 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 372-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham Mowatt ◽  
D. Jane Bower ◽  
John A. Brebner ◽  
John A. Cairns ◽  
Adrian M. Grant ◽  
...  

AbstractThere 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.


2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 309-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gisselle Gallego ◽  
Kees van Gool ◽  
Robert Casey ◽  
Guy Maddern

Introduction:Many governments have introduced health technology assessment (HTA) as an important tool to manage the uptake and use of health-related technologies efficiently. Although surgeons play a central role in the uptake and diffusion of new technologies, little is known about their opinion and understanding of the HTA role and process.Methods:A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted using an online questionnaire which was distributed to Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons over a 4-week period. Information was sought about knowledge and views of the HTA process. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, frequencies, and proportions were calculated.Results:Sixty-two surgeons completed the survey; of these, 55 percent reported their primary work place as a public hospital. Twenty-four percent of the participants reported that they had never heard of the HTA agency and 60 percent reported that surgical procedures are most likely to be introduced in the Australian healthcare system at the public hospital level (which is beyond the HTA's scope and dealt with at a state level). However, 61 percent considered that decisions about funding and adoption of new technologies should take place at the national level.Conclusions:This survey provides some evidence that many surgeons remain unaware of the federal government's HTA process but still value evidence-based information. In order for HTA to be an effective aid to rational adoption of health-related technologies, there is a need for an evidence-based approach that is integrated and is accepted and understood by the medical professions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (S1) ◽  
pp. 128-129
Author(s):  
Jeong-eun Park ◽  
Min Ji Lee ◽  
Eunkyo Park ◽  
Miseong Kim ◽  
Jooyeon Park

Introduction:In order to improve research planning it is critical to understand how decision makers have used previous health technology assessment (HTA) results, and what expectations policy makers and health professionals have in HTA programs. In this study, we aimed to examine how HTA results have been used by decision makers, and explore complex relationships between the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency (NECA) and various decision-making bodies in Korea.Methods:Three areas of healthcare decision in which NECA has been extensively involved were selected: prevention programs, single technology reimbursement, and clinical guidelines. We conducted in-depth interviews with two or three key informants from decision making bodies in each selected area. The interview participants included clinicians and government officials. We also conducted interviews with the researchers who participated in the related research to better capture the context. The interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.Results:Eight interviews with decision makers and five interviews with researchers were conducted and analyzed. Three main themes were revealed in the data. Firstly, it was revealed that NECA was primarily expected to be an intermediary between clinicians and government. Both government and clinicians had referred to NECA's HTA results, which are expected to be scientific and impartial, when they need to reach one another on controversial topics. Secondly, there was a high need for deliberative process to resolve the conflicting interests regarding HTA results. Lastly, they wanted the HTA process to be more responsive to fast changing healthcare environments by introducing a form of rapid review.Conclusions:Lack of effective communication channels between government and healthcare providers in Korea has made a room for HTA to be a common language for both sides. It is time to give up the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to conducting HTA research and tailor the research process to various needs of decision makers.


Author(s):  
Thomas G. Poder

Objectives: The aim of this study was to present the experience of a Canadian hospital-based health technology assessment (HTA) unit that performed the traditional functions of the HTA process along with many other activities to facilitate the choice of smart pumps.Methods: A rapid literature review was initiated, but little evidence was found. Moreover, the evidence provided was too far from our hospital context. To help our decision makers, we offered them a list of various services based on the skills of our HTA unit staff.Results: To involve our HTA unit in the choice of the new smart pumps led to a strong collaboration between hospital services. After a rapid review on smart pumps, we proceeded to establish the clinical needs, followed by an evaluation of technical features. To ascertain clinical needs, we participated in the establishment of a conformity list for the tender, a failure and mode-effect analysis, an audit on the use of actual smart pumps, and simulation exercises with nurses and doctors to evaluate the ease of use and ergonomics. With regard to technical tests, these were mainly conducted to identify potential dysfunction and to assess the efficiency of the pump. This experience with smart pumps was useful for evidence-based procurement and led to the formulation of a nine-step process to guide future work.Conclusions: HTA units and agencies are faced with rapid development of new technologies that may not be supported by sufficient amount of pertinent published evidence. Under these circumstances, approaches other than evidence-based selection might provide useful information. Because these activities may be different from those related to classic HTA, this widens the scope of what can be done in HTA to support decision making.


2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 223-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Dillon

Health systems around the world cope with the challenge of difficult economic times, and the value of health technology assessment (HTA) is increasing. Making the right choices, with limited resources, in the face of increasingly complex technologies requires decisions informed by data and analyses that help us to manage the risks involved. Those who undertake and use HTA can play a greater role in helping decision makers meet these challenges; they need to think how to define innovation and respond to it, how to communicate their analyses, and, critically, how to align their work with the ambitions of their health systems. HTA can become a key health system enabler without compromising its objectivity or independence. It can say that it is too early to determine the value of a new technology when the data simply will not support a safe decision. However, it can also be bold and recommend the managed introduction of new technologies, even when the when the data is immature, provided that the health system understands the risks and there is a plausible case for believing that further research will support the value proposition. The goal for HTA is to be able confidently to do both.


Author(s):  
Nevena Stolba ◽  
Tho Manh Nguyen ◽  
A Min Tjoa

In the past, much effort of healthcare decision support systems were focused on the data acquisition and storage, in order to allow the use of this data at some later point in time. Medical data was used in static manner, for analytical purposes, in order to verify the undertaken decisions. Due to the immense volumes of medical data, the architecture of the future healthcare decision support systems focus more on interoperability than on integration. With the raising need for the creation of unified knowledge base, the federated approach to distributed data warehouses (DWH) is getting increasing attention. The exploitation of evidence-based guidelines becomes a priority concern, as the awareness of the importance of knowledge management rises. Consequently, interoperability between medical information systems is becoming a necessity in modern health care. Under strong security measures, health care organizations are striking to unite and share their (partly very high sensitive) data assets in order to achieve a wider knowledge base and to provide a matured decision support service for the decision makers. Ontological integration of the very complex and heterogeneous medical data structures is a challenging task. The authors’ objective is to point out the advantages of the deployment of a federated data warehouse approach for the integration of the wide range of different medical data sources and for distribution of evidence-based clinical knowledge, to support clinical decision makers, primarily clinicians at the point of care.


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