Abstract
BackgroundTechnology adoption in hospitals is usually based on cost-effectiveness analysis, feasibility and potential success. Different countries have embraced a range of principles to accomplish an effective comprehensive process of health technology assessment (HTA). The aim of the study was to analyse the viewpoints and relative weight of technology-oriented hospital staff members toward the clinical, social, technological and economic aspects of HTA.MethodsUsing a structured questionnaire, a survey was conducted among different professionals in an 850-bed hospital.ResultsWe revealed a range of viewpoints among hospital staff members according to their personal characteristics and professional standpoints. The clinical aspects of HTA were considered ‘highly important’ (HI) by most participants, especially the ‘lifesaving’ parameter. Similarly, the ‘lack of effective alternative technology’ was ranked HI by a high percentage of participants, independent of their profession. Economic aspects were ranked HI only by half of the participants, while social and technological aspects were ranked HI only by a relatively low percentage. Nurses added ‘improving quality of life’, ‘increasing teamwork efficiency’ and ‘improving medical standards’. Allied health professionals focused on ‘lack of effective alternative technologies’ as a main argument for adoption of HTA, alongside increasing efficiency, budget savings and contribution to hospital reputation. Engineers emphasised the requirement of significant investment in infrastructure and increasing efficiency. Administrators ranked patient experience as HI. Interestingly, the high ranking of social aspects correlated with older responders, while junior staff ranked safety significantly higher.ConclusionsA multi-perspective multidisciplinary approach would be beneficial for policy-makers at hospitals and even on a national scale in Israel.
Highlights
Health technology assessment (HTA) is a scientific field designed to establish tools for the acquisition, use or exchange of medical technologies [1]
The International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment and Health Technology Assessment International deal with strategic issues concerning the present status of health technology assessment (HTA), its development and implications for healthcare systems, industry, patients and other stakeholders [3, 7]
Lifesaving Quality of life improvement Patients' functional improvement Safety Serving a large population Serving a specific population within the hospital Improving patient experience Patients' preference Lack of effective alternative technology Completion of a technology already exists at the hospital Innovation and Improving medical standards Improving hospital reputation Efficiency Manpower savings Budget savings Technology that requires a significant investment in infrastructure Maintenance costs Extent education
Summary
Health technology assessment (HTA) is a scientific field designed to establish tools for the acquisition, use or exchange of medical technologies [1]. The objective in performing HTA is to provide information about treatment alternatives to policy- and decision-makers (Ministry of Health and Government), to medical organisations that provide healthcare services. HTA is an inclusive, multidisciplinary scientific process, yielding a profitability estimation of the medical and economic outcomes to the patient and society upon adoption of a specific technology [9]. This estimation takes into consideration various medical and economic variables, such as prevalence of the disease, relevant target population, cost effectiveness and value added, costs, as well as the health system burden of each new technology [10]. The aim of the study was to analyse the viewpoints and relative weight of technology-oriented hospital staff members toward the clinical, social, technological and economic aspects of HTA
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