Article type
Abstract
Background: Health technology assessment (HTA) has been defined as a “multidisciplinary process that uses explicit methods to determine the value of a health technology at different points in its lifecycle”. The final aim of HTA is to inform the decision-making in health systems. Evidence synthesis (ES) are among the methods used by HTA. To achieve effective impact, the ES products should fit the needs of users, which are related to multiple factors, such as the available time or the type of decision. So, the final product is condicionated by a range of requirements.
Objective: The aim is to analyze the characteristics of different ES products used to inform decision-making processes in health systems and the needs of the users of these products.
Methods: This is an analysis of the ES products identified through a scoping review complemented with a qualitative study. The scoping review was composed of a review of literature retrieved from major bibliographic databases and a manual review of websites of 8 international HTA agencies. The qualitative study included three focus groups with decision-makers from macro, meso and micro levels of the Spanish National Health System (NHS).
Results: The scoping review included 30 studies, 22 methodological papers and the websites. The most frequent document types identified were HTA reports, systematic reviews, rapid responses products, emerging health technology reports and early dialogues or early advice. Clinical practice guidelines came up in the qualitative study as a relevant product for decissors from micro level. The main differentiating factors between the products are the point in lifecycle of the technology (from early phases to already established), the available evidence, and the type of decissors they inform, such as technology developers, payers or clinicians. Improving the usability of the products and improving stakeholders participation in the processes were key elements from the user's point of view.
Conclusions: There is a wide variety of products in the field of knowledge synthesis that support different information needs in decision-making. Having guides that describe main characteristics of the products, such as the authoring team and stakeholder involvement, estimated deadlines, methodology and processes is crucial.
Objective: The aim is to analyze the characteristics of different ES products used to inform decision-making processes in health systems and the needs of the users of these products.
Methods: This is an analysis of the ES products identified through a scoping review complemented with a qualitative study. The scoping review was composed of a review of literature retrieved from major bibliographic databases and a manual review of websites of 8 international HTA agencies. The qualitative study included three focus groups with decision-makers from macro, meso and micro levels of the Spanish National Health System (NHS).
Results: The scoping review included 30 studies, 22 methodological papers and the websites. The most frequent document types identified were HTA reports, systematic reviews, rapid responses products, emerging health technology reports and early dialogues or early advice. Clinical practice guidelines came up in the qualitative study as a relevant product for decissors from micro level. The main differentiating factors between the products are the point in lifecycle of the technology (from early phases to already established), the available evidence, and the type of decissors they inform, such as technology developers, payers or clinicians. Improving the usability of the products and improving stakeholders participation in the processes were key elements from the user's point of view.
Conclusions: There is a wide variety of products in the field of knowledge synthesis that support different information needs in decision-making. Having guides that describe main characteristics of the products, such as the authoring team and stakeholder involvement, estimated deadlines, methodology and processes is crucial.