International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care

Table of Contents - 2006 - Volume 22, Issue 03  


GENERAL ESSAYS

Expanding the scientific basis of health technology assessment: A research agenda for the next decade

Renaldo N. Battista a1
a1 University of Montreal

Abstract

Objectives: The complexity of health technology assessment (HTA) has increased, in part because of its evolution through three distinct phases: the machine, the clinical outcomes, and the delivery models. However, the theoretical foundation for the field remains underdeveloped.

Methods: It is high time for HTA to bring together aspects of conceptual and theoretical works from other fields to strengthen the foundation of HTA.

Results: Many challenges await the further development of HTA. They can be captured around three research themes: adapting HTA to an evolving analysis object; translating HTA results into policy, management, and practice decisions; and evaluating organizational models of HTA.

Conclusions: Consolidating the scientific basis of HTA is essential if we are to succeed in increasing the relevance of HTA in some of the most challenging health-related decisions that we will make as individuals and societies.


Key Words: Health technology assessment; Scientific basis; Methodological developments; Knowledge transfer/translation; Models of HTA practice.