Abstract
Purpose
This paper analyses the methodological and technical aspects of health technology assessment (HTA) as a tool for evaluating health technologies and procedures, with special reference to diagnostic imaging; describes the main experiences with HTA at the international and national level; outlines the most important HTA projects in Italy, and analyses the effects of HTA on health care strategies and policies.
Materials and methods
The work was carried out in three phases. In the first phase, the authors analysed the principles, methods and instruments of HTA; in the second, they evaluated the current status of HTA in different countries; and in the third, they defined the impact of HTA on the decision-making process in health care.
Results
Since the 1970s, technological innovation has been accompanied by the development of methods for the multidisciplinary assessment of the technical, scientific, economic, ethical and social aspects inherent in the use of new technologies. The method is implemented at an international level by a network of public and private bodies that carry out HTA in support of health care policies.
Conclusions
Because the application of HTA is still in its early stages in Italy, it is necessary to promote its development by drawing on consolidated international experiences.
Abstract
Obiettivo
Analizzare gli aspetti metodologici e tecnici dell’Health Technology Assessment come strumento di valutazione delle tecnologie e procedure sanitarie, con particolare riferimento all’utilizzo in campo radiologico; descrivere le principali esperienze nel campo dell’HTA presenti attualmente a livello internazionale e nazionale; effettuare una mappatura della diffusione dell’utilizzo dell’HTA in Italia ai diversi livelli istituzionali; analizzare le ricadute che l’adozione dei principi e degli strumenti dell’HTA a livello istituzionale può avere sulle strategie e le scelte del sistema sanitario.
Materiale e metodi
Il lavoro si è articolato in 3 fasi distinte. La prima fase è stata quella dell’analisi dei principi, dei metodi e degli strumenti dell’HTA. La seconda fase si è basata sulla valutazione dello stato attuale dell’HTA a diversi livelli. La terza fase ha permesso di definire il potenziale contributo dell’HTA al processo di decision making all’interno delle aziende sanitarie.
Risultati
Dagli anni ‘70 ad oggi l’innovazione scientifica è andata di pari passo con lo sviluppo di un metodo di valutazione multidisciplinare che si occupa di analizzare gli aspetti tecnici, scientifici, economici, etici, legali e sociali conseguenti all’applicazione delle nuove tecnologie. Tale metodologia è implementata a livello internazionale attraverso una rete di società pubbliche e private che svolgono Health Technology Assessment allo scopo di supportare le decisioni di politica sanitaria.
Conclusioni
Dato che in Italia l’applicazione dell’HTA è ancora ad uno stadio precoce, risulta necessario incentivarne l’utilizzo assumendo le già consolidate esperienze internazionali.
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Giovagnoni, A., Bartolucci, L., Manna, A. et al. Health technology assessment: principles, methods and current status. Radiol med 114, 673–691 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-009-00387-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-009-00387-5
Keywords
- Health technology assessment
- Clinical efficacy of diagnostic procedures
- Evidence-based medicine (EBM)
- Health policy