This toolbox is focused on the use of health technology assessment (HTA) in emerging settings. Its primary audience is decision-and policy-makers, and professionals directly or indirectly, involved in the allocation or prioritization of health resources and technologies, with a particular interest in learning the advantages and potential use of HTA as a process, its main instruments and results.
The aim of this practical HTA Toolbox is to outline best practices and include recommendations for emerging countries. Countries more experienced in this area will be the source of examples.
This toolbox intends to support countries wishing to implement HTA as a tool for decision-making processes. The Toolbox addresses methodological issues, but its main value is the provision of examples and good practices developed by countries of Central, Eastern and South Eastern Europe (CESEE) and the Region of the Americas countries. Practices obtained from the literature or information provided by countries through previously developed alternative methods will also be presented.
Specifically, the toolbox aims to:
• Improve understanding of the complete HTA process, from topic selection to the final HTA product, considering other key elements such as social values and participation of different social actors.
• Increase the skills of decision makers contributing to the HTA process.
• Provide guidance, resources and tools at each stage of the HTA process.
• Provide recommendations based on successful experiences using HTA.
• This Toolbox has five chapters. Each chapter discusses the conceptual background to its topic, evidence in which real life applications of HTA are presented, tools to facilitate the HTA application and, finally, main recommendations.
For information on developing and institutionalizing an HTA mechanism, see Institutionalizing health technology assessment mechanisms: a how to guide.
