Health Technology Assessment

What is health technology assessment (HTA)?

Health technology assessment (HTA) is a form of research that generates information about the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of health technologies.

These technologies can include; drugs, medical devices, diagnostic techniques, surgical procedures and public health programmes, for example cancer screening programmes.

A Health Technology Assessment (HTA) may also look at the social, ethical and organisational aspects associated with the technology including resource implications and budget impact.

The information provided by the HTA is used to inform health policy and decisions regarding investment or disinvestment of health technologies.

The main issues considered as part of a HTA are:

• does the technology work?
• for whom does it work?
• what is the benefit to the individual?
• at what cost?
• how does it compare to the alternatives?

How is a Health Technology Assessment carried out?

A HTA usually consists of two parts:

1. a review of the available published and unpublished literature
2. an economic evaluation to see whether an intervention is cost-effective compared with the current situation