Possibilities of Implementing Hospital-Based Health Technology Assessment (HB-HTA) at the Level of Voivodeship Offices in Poland

Abstract

The Health Technology Assessment is based on the evaluation of the characteristics and effects of health technologies to properly spend resources in healthcare. For the needs of hospitals, a special HTA department, Hospital-Based Health Technology Assessment (HB-HTA), has been established. The objective of the article is to assess the possibility of implementing a functional model with the coordinating role of Health Departments of the Voivodeship Offices with the support of the National Health Fund and the HTA Agency in Poland. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives from eight Voivodeship Offices. The interviews consisted of nine questions related to the possibility of introducing a functional model with the participation of the Voivodeship Office. The material was divided into seven codes relating to the questions included in the topic guide. From the perspective of Voivodeship Offices, HB-HTA could contribute to the improvement of the methodology used in the Evaluation Instrument of Investment Motions in Health. The lack of personnel in the Voivodeship Offices was identified as one of the greatest barriers to the implementation of HB-HTA. These public administration units should not be involved in the hospital health technology assessment process.

Overcoming Barriers in Hospital-Based Health Technology Assessment (HB-HTA): International Expert Panel Consensus

“…However, HTA has expanded its scope to encompass specific clinical procedures, medical devices, or programs unique to individual healthcare facilities. This expansion has given rise to the concept of hospital-based HTA (HB-HTA) [16], which focuses on assessing the implementation and utilization of health technologies at the operational level within a healthcare system, closer to the patient and healthcare service delivery [17]. HB-HTA can be best described as conducting HTA activities tailored to meet the specific needs of the hospitals, aiming to guide managerial decisions regarding the different types of health technologies, including the processes and methods used to generate HTA reports "in and for hospitals" [18].…”

Research on Hospital-Based Health Technology Assessment in Clinical Application Management of Medical Technology in Public Hospitals in China: Hainan Province Sample

“…Hospital-based health technology assessment (HB-HTA) is an evidence-based multidisciplinary process, using systematic methods to assess the value of health technology in a hospital setting [1].…”