Social science & medicine
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Social science & medicine · Jun 1994
ReviewInterests in health care technology assessment (HCTA) and HCTA training needs in eight European countries: COMETT-ASSESS.
Between mid-1991 and mid-1992, nearly 300 different organisations involved in European health care contributed their views to a survey covering a range of topics relevant to health care technology assessment (HCTA) and economic appraisal of health technologies. Organisations who participated included manufacturers, health care institutions, professional associations, health care reimbursement or funding agencies, academic institutions and policy making agencies in eight European countries. The study was carried out as part of a larger project, COMETT-ASSESS, funded partially by the EC COMETT programme, to design and deliver training in health care technology assessment and socioeconomic evaluation. ⋯ In contrast, to date the major emphasis in many HCTA programmes has been on technologies which are yet to enter the service setting. More thought now needs to be given to developing methodologies for assessing technologies once they have reached the service setting. For this the presence of a skilled and well-trained group of health personnel will also be necessary.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)