International journal of technology assessment in health care
-
Int J Technol Assess Health Care · Jul 2009
Historical ArticleHistorical development of health technology assessment in Thailand.
This study aims to review the development of health technology assessment (HTA), including the socioeconomic context, outputs, and policy utilization in the Thai setting. ⋯ Over the past two decades a notable progression has been made in relation to the capacity building of HTA research and its policy utility in Thailand. Such development has been shaped by multiple factors. It is anticipated that experience gained among academics, health officials, and civil society organizations will be helpful not only in sustaining the momentum but also in improving formal HTA systems in the future.
-
Int J Technol Assess Health Care · Jul 2009
Historical ArticleHistory of health technology assessment in Hungary.
In Hungary, the history of the health technology assessment (HTA) dates back to 1993 when HTA and related activities started by professional initiatives. The legal background, institutionalization, and training capacities were created between 1998 and 2004. ⋯ However, there are very important differences as well, that is why transferability and adaptability issues have to be considered. This article describes the characteristic features of the Hungarian healthcare system, the history and the current role of HTA, and the most important challenges.
-
Int J Technol Assess Health Care · Jul 2009
Historical ArticleA history of health technology assessment at the European level.
This study summarizes the experience with health technology assessment (HTA) at the European level. Geographically, Europe includes approximately fifty countries with a total of approximately 730 million people. Politically, twenty-seven of these countries (500 million people) have come together in the European Union. ⋯ Around fifteen of the European countries now have formal national programs on HTA and some also have regional public programs. All countries that are members of the European Union and do not have a national approach to HTA have an interest in becoming more involved. The HTA projects sponsored by the European Commission have focused on networking and collaboration among established agencies and institutions for HTA, however, also on capacity building, support, and facilitation in creating mechanisms for HTA in European countries that still do not have any program in the field.
-
Int J Technol Assess Health Care · Jul 2009
Economic evaluation of continuous renal replacement therapy in acute renal failure.
Controversy exists regarding the optimal method of providing dialysis in critically ill patients with acute renal failure. We sought to determine the cost-effectiveness of treatment strategies. ⋯ Given the higher costs of providing CRRT and absence of demonstrated benefit, IHD is the preferred modality in critically ill patients who are candidates for either IHD or CRRT, although this conclusion should be revisited if future clinical trials establish differences in clinical effectiveness between modalities. Future interventions that are proven to improve renal recovery after acute renal failure are likely to be cost-effective, even if very resource intensive.
-
Int J Technol Assess Health Care · Jul 2009
Comparative StudySurrogate outcomes in health technology assessment: an international comparison.
Our aim was to review the recommendations given by health technology assessment (HTA) institutions in their methodological guidelines concerning the use of surrogate outcomes in their assessments. In a second step, we aimed at quantifying the role surrogate parameters take in assessment reports. ⋯ HTA institutions seem to agree on a cautious approach to the use of surrogate outcomes in technology assessment. Thorough assessment of health technologies should not rely exclusively on surrogate outcomes.