EUnetHTA was established to create an effective and sustainable network for HTA across Europe – we work together to develop reliable, timely, transparent and transferable information to contribute to HTAs in European countries. Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is a multidisciplinary process that “while acknowledging its policy goals, must always be firmly rooted in research and scientific method”.
Innovation in health technologies coupled with increased complexity in the delivery of healthcare put mounting pressure on those who do HTA to apply appropriate methods across disciplines to do these assessments.
Cooperation with contributing fields of research via clear indications of the methodological needs and exchange of information is one of EUnetHTA’s key approaches to strengthening the network’s position as the preferred facilitator of high-quality HTA collaboration in Europe. The building of alliances with research-support initiatives and leading research centers is part of EUnetHTA’s strategy implementation.
In a recent letter to the European Commission’s DG Research and Innovation, EUnetHTA outlined a number of methodological issues of high importance. These issues require attention of the European research community to develop robust methodologies to effectively tackle today’s challenges when aiming at fit-for-purpose HTA processes. Research into organisation of care and systems research, transferability of cost-effectiveness data, and research methodologies to better capture patient perceptions and preferences are just a few highlighted areas in need for improved methodology development.
Further development of HTA methodologies is a must if HTA shall stay relevant and continue to be the contemporary approach to inform decision-making in healthcare. Promotion of good practice in HTA methods and processes is indispensable to ensuring the applicability and effectiveness of an HTA practice to foster sustainable healthcare in the long run.
Please see a copy of the letter here.
