International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care - Current Issue

Volume 24 Issue 03

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT

International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, Volume 24 Issue 03

The International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care serves as a forum for the wide range of health policy makers and professionals interested in the economic, social, ethical, medical and public health implications of health technology. It covers the development, evaluation, diffusion and use of health technology, as well as its impact on the organization and management of health care systems and public health. In addition to general essays and research reports, regular columns on technology assessment reports and thematic sections are published.

Editorial

Editorial
Egon Jonsson, Stanley J. Reiser,
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, Volume 24 Issue 03 , pp 243-243

Abstract

Key principles for the improved conduct of health technology assessments for resource allocation decisions

Research Articles
Michael F. Drummond, J. Sanford Schwartz, Bengt Jönsson, Bryan R. Luce, Peter J. Neumann, Uwe Siebert, Sean D. Sullivan,
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, Volume 24 Issue 03 , pp 244-258

Abstract
Health technology assessment (HTA) is a dynamic, rapidly evolving process, embracing different types of assessments that inform real-world decisions about the value (i.e., benefits, risks, and costs) of new and existing technologies. Historically, most HTA agencies have focused on producing high quality assessment reports that can be used by a range of decision makers. However, increasingly organizations are undertaking or commissioning HTAs to inform a particular resource allocation decision, such as listing a drug on a national or local formulary, defining the range of coverage under insurance plans, or issuing mandatory guidance on the use of health technologies in a particular healthcare system. A set of fifteen principles that can be used in assessing existing or establishing new HTA activities is proposed, providing examples from existing HTA programs. The principal focus is on those HTA activities that are linked to, or include, a particular resource allocation decision. In these HTAs, the consideration of both costs and benefits, in an economic evaluation, is critical. It is also important to consider the link between the HTA and the decision that will follow. The principles are organized into four sections: (i) of HTA programs; (ii) of HTA; (iii) of HTA; and (iv)

Assessing the impact of health technology assessment in the Netherlands

Research Articles
Wija J. Oortwijn, Stephen R. Hanney, Andreas Ligtvoet, Stijn Hoorens, Steven Wooding, Jonathan Grant, Martin J. Buxton, Lex M. Bouter,
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, Volume 24 Issue 03 , pp 259-269

Abstract
Objectives: Investments in health research should lead to improvements in health and health care. This is also the remit of the main HTA program in the Netherlands. The aims of this study were to assess whether the results of this program have led to such improvements and to analyze how best to assess the impact from health research.

Policies of screening for colorectal cancer in European countries

Research Articles
Iñaki Gutiérrez-Ibarluzea, José Asua, Kepa Latorre,
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, Volume 24 Issue 03 , pp 270-276

Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the current status of population screening for colon/rectum cancer in Europe to compare the different strategies, the coverage, the existence of pilot experiences, regional coverages, and the risk factors considered in each strategy.

Overuse or underuse of MRI scanners in private radiology centers in Tehran

Research Articles
Soheil Saadat, Seyed Mohammad Ghodsi, Kavous Firouznia, Mahyar Etminan, Khadijeh Goudarzi, Kourosh Holakouie Naieni,
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, Volume 24 Issue 03 , pp 277-281

Abstract
Objectives: The semiprivate health system in Iran has created an opportunity for unnecessary uses of advanced medical equipments including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This study aimed to evaluate the evidence for MRI overuse in private diagnostic imaging centers in Tehran, Iran. The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency of use of MRI scans for different complaints and to explore frequency of normal MRI findings as a function of unnecessary MRI use.

Economic analysis of medical practice variation between 1991 and 2000: The impact of patient outcomes research teams (PORTs)

Research Articles
Stephen T. Parente, Charles E. Phelps, Patrick J. O'Connor,
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, Volume 24 Issue 03 , pp 282-293

Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of the multi-hundred million dollar investment by the federal government in the developing Patient Outcomes Research Teams (PORTs) in over a dozen major academic medical centers in the United States throughout the 1990s. The objective of the PORTs was to reduce unnecessary clinical variation in medical treatment.

Avoiding adverse drug reactions by pharmacogenetic testing: A systematic review of the economic evidence in the case of TPMT and AZA-induced side effects

Research Articles
Amelia Compagni, Simona Bartoli, Bernhard Buehrlen, Giovanni Fattore, Dolores Ibarreta, Emma Gutierrez de Mesa,
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, Volume 24 Issue 03 , pp 294-302

Abstract
Objectives: The study aims at evaluating the economic evidence related to testing for genetic variants of the drug-metabolizing enzyme, TPMT. Detecting TPMT genetic variants before the administration of azathioprine (AZA) has the potential to prevent serious and costly adverse drug reactions (ADRs), such as neutropenia. In particular, our analysis concentrated on assessing the reliability of data on costs of neutropenia and performing the tests, the two main cost categories that could inform an economic evaluation of TPMT pharmacogenetic testing.

Economics of preventing premature mortality and impaired cognitive development in children through home-fortification: A health policy perspective

Research Articles
Waseem Sharieff, Stanley H. Zlotkin, Wendy J. Ungar, Brian Feldman, Murray D. Krahn, George Tomlinson,
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, Volume 24 Issue 03 , pp 303-311

Abstract
Background: Home-fortification is a new strategy of adding micronutrients including zinc and iron to home-made foods. Zinc supplementation may prevent morbidity and mortality related to diarrheal illnesses, and iron supplementation may improve cognitive development, in children.

Cost-effectiveness of a new combined immunosuppressive and anti-infectious regimen in kidney transplantation

Research Articles
Jean-Blaise Wasserfallen, Mira Kast-Brückner, Oriol Manuel, Jean-Pierre Venetz, Pascal R. A. Meylan, Manuel Pascual,
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, Volume 24 Issue 03 , pp 312-317

Abstract
Objectives: The aims of this study were to assess the 1-year cost-effectiveness of a new combined immunosuppressive and anti-infectious regimen in kidney transplantation to prevent both rejection and infectious complications.

Comparison of three instruments assessing the quality of economic evaluations: A practical exercise on economic evaluations of the surgical treatment of obesity

Research Articles
Sophie Gerkens, Ralph Crott, Irina Cleemput, Jean-Paul Thissen, Marie-Christine Closon, Yves Horsmans, Claire Beguin,
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, Volume 24 Issue 03 , pp 318-325

Abstract
Objectives: The increasing use of full economic evaluations has led to the development of various instruments to assess their quality. The purpose of this study was to compare the frequently used British Medical Journal (BMJ) check-list and two new instruments: the Consensus Health Economic Criteria (CHEC) list and the Quality of Health Economic Studies (QHES) instrument. The analysis was based on a practical exercise on economic evaluations of the surgical treatment of obesity.

Why did some Danish counties introduce breast cancer screening and others not? An exploratory study of four selected counties

Research Articles
Kasper Hjulmann, Hindrik Vondeling, Mickael Bech,
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, Volume 24 Issue 03 , pp 326-332

Abstract
Objectives: Of the fourteen counties and two municipalities that until recently were responsible for healthcare provision in Denmark, five introduced mammography screening (MS) programs. The objective of this research is to explain this decision-making variation and to gain insight into priority setting processes in health-care provision at the county level in Denmark.

Analysis of the quality of clinical practice guidelines on established ischemic stroke

Research Articles
Ma Asunción Navarro Puerto, Iñaki Gutiérrez Ibarluzea, Oscar Guzmán Ruiz, Francisco Moniche Alvarez, Rocío Gómez Herreros, Ruth Engelhardt Pintiado, Antonio Reyes Dominguez, Ignacio Marín León,
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, Volume 24 Issue 03 , pp 333-341

Abstract
Objectives: To catalogue and comparatively assess the quality of Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) for ischemic stroke taking into account format and development methodology.

Appropriateness of healthcare interventions: Concepts and scoping of the published literature

Research Articles
Claudia Sanmartin, Kellie Murphy, Nicole Choptain, Barbara Conner-Spady, Lindsay McLaren, Eric Bohm, Michael J. Dunbar, Suren Sanmugasunderam, Carolyn De Coster, John McGurran, Diane L. Lorenzetti, Tom Noseworthy,
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, Volume 24 Issue 03 , pp 342-349

Abstract
Objectives: This report is a scoping review of the literature with the objective of identifying definitions, conceptual models and frameworks, as well as the methods and range of perspectives, for determining appropriateness in the context of healthcare delivery.

Use of expert knowledge in evaluating costs and benefits of alternative service provisions: A case study

Research Articles
Paul H. Garthwaite, James B. Chilcott, David J. Jenkinson, Paul Tappenden,
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, Volume 24 Issue 03 , pp 350-357

Abstract
Objectives: A treatment pathway model was developed to examine the costs and benefits of the current bowel cancer service in England and to evaluate potential alternatives in service provision. To use the pathway model, various parameters and probability distributions had to be specified. They could not all be determined from empirical evidence and, instead, expert opinion was elicited in the form of statistical quantities that gave the required information. The purpose of this study is to describe the procedures used to quantify expert opinion and note examples of good practice contained in the case study.

Empirical comparison of subgroup effects in conventional and individual patient data meta-analyses

Research Articles
Laura Koopman, Geert J. M. G. van der Heijden, Arno W. Hoes, Diederick E. Grobbee, Maroeska M. Rovers,
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, Volume 24 Issue 03 , pp 358-361

Abstract
Objectives: Individual patient data (IPD) meta-analyses have been proposed as a major improvement in meta-analytic methods to study subgroup effects. Subgroup effects of conventional and IPD meta-analyses using identical data have not been compared. Our objective is to compare such subgroup effects using the data of six trials (n = 1,643) on the effectiveness of antibiotics in children with acute otitis media (AOM).

Commentary on the article “Key principles for the improved conduct of health technology assessments for resource allocation decisions”

Article Commentary
H. David Banta,
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, Volume 24 Issue 03 , pp 362-365

Abstract

Commentary on the article “Key principles for the improved conduct of health technology assessments for resource allocation decisions”

Article Commentary
David Hailey,
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, Volume 24 Issue 03 , pp 365-366

Abstract

Commentary on the article “Key principles for the improved conduct of health technology assessments for resource allocation decisions”

Article Commentary
Duncan Neuhauser,
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, Volume 24 Issue 03 , pp 366-367

Abstract

Response from the authors of “Key principles for the improved conduct of health technology assessments for resource allocation decisions”

Article Commentary
Michael Drummond, J. Sanford Schwartz, Bengt Jönsson, Bryan Luce, Peter Neumann, Uwe Siebert, Sean Sullivan,
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, Volume 24 Issue 03 , pp 367-368

Abstract