Scope and objectives of health technology assessment organizations

This study aims to identify and critically analyze the scope and the objectives of health technology assessment (HTA) organizations. The method used was international Web-based survey of HTA organizations with diversified profile. A total number of 111 questionnaires from 39 countries on 5 continents were received, representing a 35.58% response rate. According to the impact area, HTAs operate at the following levels – international (n=61, 54.95±8.76%), national (n=92, 82.88±9.74%), local/regional (n=73, 65.77±9.24%) and other (n=6, 6.31±3.40%). Organizational regulation – defining the activity, order and functioning of the organization, was adopted by 60.55±4.68% (n=60). The priority areas for the organization activities with the highest relative part is the assessment of health technologies 81.65±13.32% (n=89), followed by activities related to health policy 50.46±11.14% (n=55) and research 43.12±10.43% (n=47). The processes of modification and adaptation go through the trend of isochronous production of reports, research in the field of health services and quality assessments within the framework of the HTA organizations. The development of the agencies‘ activities in these directions reflects the belief that the knowledge needed to manage health care system based on a science-based approach extends beyond the scope of regular HTA. For more information click here.