Expert Opinion Research Articles

Radiotherapy for subependymal giant cell astrocytoma: time to challenge a historical ban? A case report and review of the literature

BackgroundSubependymal giant cell astrocytoma is a benign brain tumor that occurs in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex. Surgical removal is the traditional treatment, and expert opinion is strongly against the use of radiotherapy. Recently, success has been reported with the mTor inhibitor everolimus in reducing tumor volume, but regrowth has been observed after dose reduction or cessation.Case reportWe present the case of a 40-year-old Asian female patient treated successfully for growing bilateral subependymal giant cell astrocytoma with fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy before everolimus became available. After a follow-up of 8 years, everolimus was administered for renal angiomyolipoma and the patient was followed up until 13 years after radiotherapy. Successive magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an 80% volume reduction after radiotherapy that increased to 90% with everolimus. A review of the literature was done leveraging Medline via PubMed, and we assembled a database of 1298 article references and 780 full-text articles in search of evidence for contraindicating radiotherapy in subependymal giant cell astrocytoma. Varying results of single-fraction radiosurgery were described in a total of 13 cases. Only in two published cases was the radiation dose of fractionated radiotherapy mentioned. One single publication mentions an induced secondary brain tumor 8 years after whole-brain radiotherapy.ConclusionThere is no evidence of contraindication and exclusion of fractionated radiotherapy in treating subependymal giant cell astrocytoma. Our experience demonstrates that subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, as other benign intracranial tumors, responds slowly but progressively to radiotherapy and suggests that fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy holds promise to consolidate responses obtained with mTor inhibitors avoiding regrowth after cessation.

Promoting Self-Management in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: Development of the Impact of Glucose Monitoring on Self-Management Scale

ObjectivesType 2 diabetes (T2D) management requires behavioural engagement to achieve optimal outcomes and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technologies may facilitate self-management. In this study we describe the development and validation of a self-report instrument, the Impact of Glucose Monitoring on Self-Management Scale (IGMSS), assessing the impact of device use (primarily CGM but also self-monitored blood glucose [SMBG]) on the capability, motivation, and opportunity to engage in self-management. MethodsPotential items were generated from 3 sources: themes and quotes from 13 adults with T2D motivated by CGM use who participated in a qualitative study; behaviour change theory identifying capability, opportunity, and motivation to self-manage; and expert committee review of items. An initial pool of 42 items were generated describing CGM as promoting personalized knowledge, improved health (Capability), improved relationships, having positive device characteristics (Opportunity), and improved engagement in self-management (Motivation). Based on expert committee consensus, items were written so as to be completed by those using any glucose-sensing device (SMBG and CGM). Psychometric evaluation was conducted with 514 English-speaking Canadians. Scale reduction (22 final items) was completed using item-response distribution, internal consistency, factor analysis, and expert opinion. Construct and convergent validity were evaluated using the Impact of Glucose Monitoring Satisfaction Scale, the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire, the Diabetes Distress Scale, the 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index, and the Centre for Epidemiology Depression Scale. Test–retest reliability was determined for 130 participants. ResultsInternal consistency was high for all scales, ranging from 0.73 to 0.91. Test–retest reliability ranged from 0.58 to 0.79, except for Device Characteristics. Construct and convergent validity indices were acceptable. There was substantial overlap between the IGMSS and established measures of CGM satisfaction. IGMSS findings were also predictive of self-management behaviour and emotional functioning. ConclusionsThe IGMSS has positive psychometric characteristics and has the potential to screen people with T2D for engagement in diabetes self-management using CGM or any sensing device. Scores can be determined for various aspects of Capability (Personalized Knowledge, Improved Health), Opportunity (Relationships and Device Characteristics), and Motivation.

The role of pathologists in the diagnosis of occupational lung diseases: an expert opinion of the European Society of Pathology Pulmonary Pathology Working Group.

Occupational lung/thoracic diseases are a major global public health issue. They comprise a diverse spectrum of health conditions with complex pathology, most of which arise following chronic heavy workplace exposures to various mineral dusts, metal fumes, or following inhaled organic particulate reactions. Many occupational lung diseases could become irreversible; thus accurate diagnosis is mandatory to minimize dust exposure and consequently reduce damage to the respiratory system. Lung biopsy is usually required when exposure history is inconsistent with imaging, in case of unusual or new exposures, in case of unexpected malignancy, and in cases in which there are claims for personal injury and legal compensation. In this paper, we provide an overview of the most frequent occupational lung diseases with a focus on pathological diagnosis. This is a paper that summarizes the expert opinion from a group of European pathologists, together with contributions from other specialists who are crucial for the diagnosis and management of these diseases. Indeed, tight collaboration of all specialists involved in the workup is mandatory as many occupational lung diseases are misdiagnosed or go unrecognized. This document provides a guide for pathologists in practice to facilitate the accurate diagnosis of occupational lung disease. The review article reports relevant topics discussed during an educational course held by expert pathologists, active members of the Pulmonary Pathology Working Group of the European Society of Pathology. The course was endorsed by the University of Padova as a "winter school" (selected project in the call for "Shaping a World-class University" 2022).

Consultations for Poland Syndrome: The Essentials for a Thoracic Surgeon.

Poland syndrome (PS) is a rare congenital musculoskeletal entity occurring in approximately 1 in 30,000 newborns that manifests with variable symbrachydactyly, ipsilateral costochondral deformities, an absence of pectoral muscles, and breast underdevelopment. These have potential impacts on social, somatic, and psychological functionality, often leading affected individuals to seek expert opinions on corrective surgery. Due to phenotypic variability, strict management guidelines are lacking, with treatment decisions often based on the specialist's personal experience rather than published evidence. Comprehensive imaging with CT and MRI with 3D reconstruction is crucial for providing a descriptive assessment of musculoskeletal defects. Management is multidisciplinary, involving thoracic, plastic, and pediatric surgeons and hand surgery specialists, as well as psychologists and developmental growth specialists. Surgery should achieve both structural and cosmetic correction to reverse the psychological and social impact and achieve patient satisfaction. We aim to provide thoracic surgeons the essential answers for sharing with affected adult individuals during consultations focusing on chest surgical correction.

Evaluation of CNC lathe machine with fuzzy linguistic mcdm methods

CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) lathes have become integral to modern manufacturing and machining industries due to their ability to produce intricate parts with precision and efficiency. Not only do CNC lathes enhance productivity and accuracy, but they also minimize human error and enhance overall safety in the manufacturing process. Furthermore, the current market offers a wide array of diverse types of CNC lathes. Consequently, the evaluation and selection of CNC lathes pose a complex decision-making challenge as there are numerous types available, each with a variety of selection criteria for manufacturers to consider. It is crucial to make an informed choice, as improper evaluation and selection can have adverse effects on the overall performance of the production system. In this study, we propose using the fuzzy EDAS (Evaluation Based on Distance from Average Solution) model to evaluate and select CNC lathes. Initially, we employ the fuzzy analysis method, based on expert opinions, to establish a set of weights for the evaluation criteria. These criteria consist of seven factors: capital cost, spindle speed, distance between centers, rapid traverse rates in the X-axis and Z-axis, maximum machining diameter, and maximum machining length. Subsequently, the fuzzy EDAS object ranking model is utilized to evaluate and rank the CNC lathes, ultimately aiding in the selection of the most suitable machine for the manufacturer. The results obtained from our analysis reveal that the MICROTURN-300DX machine is the optimal choice, closely followed by the MICROTURN-300X machine. The study's findings serve as valuable guidelines for decision makers in selecting CNC lathes that align with the requirements of factory production. Moreover, the suggested approach can also be utilized to choose various other machine types as production demands become more intricate

A fire risk assessment method for offshore platforms: applications of 24Model with BN

ABSTRACT This paper integrates the 24Model with a BN and proposes a fire risk assessment method for offshore platforms. Triangular fuzzy membership function fuzzy set theory, coefficient of variation method and the combination of node state distance function and fuzzy inference are used to address the subjectivity and uncertainty due to insufficient objective data and conflicting opinions of multiple experts. Based on the proposed method, the human, organisational and technical factors of an offshore platform are comprehensively analysed from the perspective of the system. Based on diagnostic inference and sensitivity analysis, the main affecting factors and causal path of the risk scenario are determined. The results show that the proposed method could help in identifying the root causes of the failures and provide new insights into the probabilities and relationships among different factors.

Seeking greater success with expert opinions

Seeking greater success with expert opinions

Consensus Statement: Technical Standards for Thoracoabdominal Normothermic Regional Perfusion

BackgroundThoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion (TA-NRP) has emerged as a powerful technique for optimizing organ procurement from donation after circulatory death donors. Despite its rapid adoption, standardized guidelines for TA-NRP implementation are lacking, prompting the need for consensus recommendations to ensure safe and effective utilization of this technique. MethodsA working group composed of members from The American Society of Transplant Surgeons, The International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and The American Association for Thoracic Surgery was convened to develop technical guidelines for TA-NRP. The group systematically reviewed existing literature, consensus statements, and expert opinions to identify key areas requiring standardization, including predonation evaluation, intraoperative management, postdonation procedures, and future research directions. ResultsThe working group formulated recommendations encompassing donor evaluation and selection criteria, premortem testing and therapeutic interventions, communication protocols, and procedural guidelines for TA-NRP implementation. These recommendations aim to facilitate coordination among transplant teams, minimize variability in practice, and promote transparency and accountability throughout the TA-NRP process. ConclusionsThe consensus guidelines presented herein serve as a comprehensive framework for the successful and ethical implementation of TA-NRP programs in organ procurement from donation after circulatory death donors. By providing standardized recommendations and addressing areas of uncertainty, these guidelines aim to enhance the quality, safety, and efficiency of TA-NRP procedures, ultimately contributing to improved outcomes for transplant recipients.

Construction and Standardization of Knowledge Test to Measure the Knowledge Level of Farmers on Rice Crop Cultivation

A study was designed to develop a standardized test to measure the knowledge of rice farmers. Pertinent items covering every aspect of rice cultivation were collected with the help of subject matter specialists, progressive farmers, and scientists along with related literature. After getting experts opinion, items were subjected to difficulty index, discrimination index, correlation, reliability and validity. Items with 20-80 of difficulty level, items with 0.20-0.80 discrimination index and significant either at 1 percent or 5 percent level point in biserial correlation were selected and admitted to rice to measure knowledge level on rice cultivation. A total of 47 items were included in the final knowledge test to measure the knowledge level of farmers in rice cultivation.

The Liver Cirrhosis Network Cohort Study: Cirrhosis Definition, Study Population, and Endpoints.

One of the primary goals of the Liver Cirrhosis Network (LCN) is to develop a cohort study to better understand and predict the risk of hepatic decompensation and other clinical and patient-reported outcomes among patients with Child A cirrhosis. The LCN consists of a Scientific Data Coordinating Center (SDCC) and 10 clinical centers whose investigators populate multiple committees. The LCN Definitions and Measurements Committee developed preliminary definitions of cirrhosis and its complications by literature review, expert opinion, and reviewing definition documents developed by other organizations. The Cohort Committee developed the study protocol with the input of the steering committee. The LCN developed a prospective cohort study to describe and predict the rates of incident clinical events pertaining to first decompensation and patient reported outcomes. The LCN developed a pragmatic definition of compensated cirrhosis incorporating clinical, laboratory, imaging, and histological criteria. Definitions of incident and recompensated ascites, overt hepatic encephalopathy, variceal hemorrhage, bleeding due to portal gastropathy, and hepatocellular carcinoma were also codified. The LCN Cohort Study design will inform the natural history of cirrhosis in contemporary patients with compensated cirrhosis. The LCN Definitions and Measures Committee developed criteria for the definition of cirrhosis to standardize entry into this multi-center cohort study and standardized criteria for liver-related outcome measures. This effort has produced definitions intended to be both sensitive and specific as well as easily operationalized by study staff such that outcomes critical to the LCN cohort are identified and reported in an accurate and generalizable fashion.

Risk assessment in production of functional food products by means of RCA method

According to the results of review of the regulatory legal acts and standardization documents, the necessity has been determined to develop a methodology for risk assessment in production of functional food products and its introduction into operation for implementation of the quality control system of food products fortified with iodine. This article represents the description of development of risk assessment methodology assigned for assessing the quality control system for functional foods fortified with iodine. The hazardous event in this case is the non-compliance of the food product with the regulatory requirements, in particular the decrease of iodine content in the functional foods down to a level below 30 mcg/100g of the product, which is less than 15% of an adult person's daily requirement. To assess the probable risks that can affect the peculiar features of the functional foods, RCA root cause mapping system was proposed that includes the standard methods: Ishikawa cause and effect diagram, fault tree analysis FTA, failure mode and effect analysis FMEA, and Pareto analysis. The technology of producing of the cooked sausages fortified with iodine-containing food ingredients was chosen as the object of research, as this technology is associated with a wide variety of technological modes and methods of raw materials processing, as well as the storage conditions of the ready products. The results of the study included a review of the collected data, consideration of the hypothesis, expert opinion on the most probable root causes of failures and losses, and the recommended preventive and corrective actions.

Generation of Indicators to Assess Quality of Health Care in Hospital at Home Through e-Delphi.

The quality of health care in hospital at home (HaH) has been measured in different countries using simple indicators and clinical results that only contribute to some dimensions of the quality of health care. We sought to generate indicators to comprehensively evaluate the quality of health care provided to HaH users through the e-Delphi technique. The e-Delphi technique was performed with the participation of 17 HaH experts. The methodological strategy applied in this study was divided into the following 3 phases: a preparatory phase; consultation phase; and consensus phase. Three rounds of consultations were conducted with experts. In round 1, they were asked to identify which aspects of HaH they believed should be evaluated using an indicator for each of the following 6 dimensions of health care quality: effectiveness; efficiency; timeliness; patient-centered care; equity; and safety. In round 2, they were asked to rate each indicator using a 5-point Likert-type scale with the following values: (1) Totally disagree; (2) Disagree; (3) Moderately agree; (4) Agree; and (5) Totally agree. The criteria for evaluating each indicator were as follows: (1) The indicator is a useful measure for assessing the quality of health care provided to HaH users. (2) The indicator is clearly and specifically written and does not require modification. (3) The indicator is essential and incorporates information that can be extracted from HaH program records. An indicator was considered approved if it received at least 65% approval from the expert panel for each evaluation criterion. In round 3, experts were asked to reassess their ratings, taking into account the opinions of the other experts. The reliability of this technique was ensured through credibility, reliability, and confirmability. We obtained ethical approval of the corresponding institutions and informed consent from the participating experts. Nine unpublished and reliable indicators were generated. In addition, 13 indicators were incorporated that evaluate aspects previously analyzed by other authors and/or national and international institutions, which were adapted to be used in HaH. The total indicators generated (n = 22) represented all dimensions of the quality of health care: safety; opportunity; effectiveness; efficiency; equity; and patient-centered care. The 22 indicators generated through the e-Delphi technique permit a comprehensive evaluation of the quality of health care provided to HaH users.

Consensus Statement: Technical Standards for Thoracoabdominal Normothermic Regional Perfusion.

Thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion (TA-NRP) has emerged as a powerful technique for optimizing organ procurement from donation after circulatory death donors. Despite its rapid adoption, standardized guidelines for TA-NRP implementation are lacking, prompting the need for consensus recommendations to ensure safe and effective utilization of this technique. A working group composed of members from The American Society of Transplant Surgeons, The International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and The American Association for Thoracic Surgery was convened to develop technical guidelines for TA-NRP. The group systematically reviewed existing literature, consensus statements, and expert opinions to identify key areas requiring standardization, including predonation evaluation, intraoperative management, postdonation procedures, and future research directions. The working group formulated recommendations encompassing donor evaluation and selection criteria, premortem testing and therapeutic interventions, communication protocols, and procedural guidelines for TA-NRP implementation. These recommendations aim to facilitate coordination among transplant teams, minimize variability in practice, and promote transparency and accountability throughout the TA-NRP process. The consensus guidelines presented herein serve as a comprehensive framework for the successful and ethical implementation of TA-NRP programs in organ procurement from donation after circulatory death donors. By providing standardized recommendations and addressing areas of uncertainty, these guidelines aim to enhance the quality, safety, and efficiency of TA-NRP procedures, ultimately contributing to improved outcomes for transplant recipients.

Accounting System Development Methodology

An accounting system development methodology is a series of procedures implemented by systems analysts to improve a company's current accounting system. Library Research (Library Research) is a method or approach used by researchers. Library research and inquiry have more than just the functions mentioned in the context of obtaining research data. This means that library research is only limited to library collection materials and does not require field research. However, library research is a method of obtaining data that involves reviewing books, literature, notes and various reports that are relevant to the problem at hand, in accordance with the opinions of experts. In the process of implementing an inadequate Accounting Information System (AIS) in a company, there are several irregularities that occur. Because of this, the company's Accounting Information System needs to be developed in a better direction. This is to ensure that the information the company needs is more appropriate.

Systematic risk ranking of microbiological hazards in infant foods

Ensuring food safety, particularly for vulnerable groups, like infants and young children, requires identifying and prioritizing potential hazards in food chains. We previously developed a web-based decision support system (DSS) to identify specific microbiological hazards (MHs) in infant and toddler foods through a structured five-step process. This study takes the framework further by introducing systematic risk ranking (RR) steps to rank MH risks with seven criteria: process survival, recontamination, growth opportunity, meal preparation, hazard-food association evidence, food consumption habits of infants and toddlers in the EU, and MH severity. Each criterion is given a semi-quantitative or quantitative score or risk value, contributing to the final MH risk calculation via three aggregation methods: semi-quantitative risk scoring, semi-quantitative risk value, and outranking multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). To validate the criteria and ranking approaches, we conducted a case study to rank MH risks in infant formula, compared the results of the three risk ranking methods, and additionally evaluated the ranking results against expert opinions to ensure their accuracy. The results showed strong agreement among the three methods, consistently ranking Salmonella non-Typhi and Cronobacter spp. and Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli as the top MH risks in infant formulae, with minor deviations. When MHs were ranked after an initial hazard identification step, all three methods produced nearly identical MH rankings, reinforcing the reliability of the ranking steps and the selected criteria. Notably, the risk value and MCDA methods provided more informative MH rankings compared to the risk scoring method. The risk value and risk scoring methods were implemented into an online tool, called the MIcrobiological hazards risk RAnking decision support system (Mira-DSS), available at https://foodmicrobiologywur.shinyapps.io/MIcrobial_hazards_RAnking/. In conclusion, our framework enables the ranking of MH risks, facilitating intervention comparisons and resource allocations to mitigate MH risks in infant foods, with potential applicability to broader food categories.

Achieving consensus on the key elements of a nurse-led multidisciplinary chronic heart failure service in Thailand: An e-Delphi study.

To describe the outcomes of an e(electronic)-Delphi survey used to achieve consensus on the essential elements that should be included in a multidisciplinary, nurse-led service for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). The study design was based on a three-round e-Delphi survey. A series of three survey rounds were used to gather expert opinions and achieve consensus on the key elements that should be included in a CHF disease management program from a sample of healthcare professionals and organizational leaders with expertise in existing CHF services. Consensus for each item was defined as at least 90% agreement. There were 20 participants (18 healthcare professionals and 2 organizational leaders) in round-1, 22 (20 healthcare professionals and 2 organizational leaders) in round-2, and 17 (15 healthcare professionals and 2 organizational leaders) in round-3. Fifteen participants attended a final online meeting (13 healthcare professionals and 2 organizational leaders). Consensus was obtained on five essential components: (i) consumer education, (ii) treatment optimization using a multidisciplinary approach, (iii) discharge planning, (iv) provision of supportive community care and (v) mechanisms to respond to early symptoms of decompensated CHF. Participants focused on mechanisms to improve treatment effectiveness, patient and family knowledge, communication between healthcare providers and supportive care in the community. The proposed model of care may be useful to other health service providers who are designing or adapting CHF models of care for the South-East Asian environment. This research provides a solid basis for using a Delphi method to resolve the challenges and issues of transferring global model-based recommendations in CHF knowledge. The Delphi method proved successful as an important step in developing a culturally acceptable model of chronic care that meets the goals of local healthcare providers.

Spatio-temporal forecasting for the US Drought Monitor

Abstract The US Drought Monitor is the leading drought monitoring tool in the United States. Updated weekly and freely distributed, it records the drought conditions as geo-referenced polygons showing one of six ordered levels. These levels are determined by a mixture of quantitative environmental measurements and local expert opinion across the entire United States. At present, forecasts of the Drought Monitor only convey the expected direction of drought development (i.e. worsen, persist, subside) and do not communicate any uncertainty. This limits the utility of forecasts. In this paper, we describe a Bayesian spatio-temporal ordinal hierarchical model for use in modelling and projecting drought conditions. The model is flexible, scalable, and interpretable. By viewing drought data as areal rather than point-referenced, we reduce the cost of sampling from the posterior by avoiding dense matrix inversion. Draws from the posterior predictive distribution produce future forecasts of actual drought levels—rather than only the direction of drought development—and all sources of uncertainty are propagated into the posterior. Spatial random effects and an autoregressive model structure capture spatial and temporal dependence, and help ensure smoothness in forecasts over space and time. The result is a framework for modelling and forecasting drought levels and capturing forecast uncertainty.

Research on Coupling Effect Measurement and Coupling Risk Simulation of Green Building Construction Safety Risk Factors

The construction of green buildings is an important direction for the transformation and development of the construction industry, but it is beset with problems such as a lack of construction experience, immature new technologies, and unstable material properties; these issues bring risks to the construction stage of green buildings, and the coupling of uncertain risk factors in the construction process of green buildings may lead to unfavorable results. The purpose of this study is to explore the coupling degree of green building construction safety risk factors and the changing trend in their coupling combinations at the system risk level. First, the risk factor index system was defined by reading the literature and gathering expert opinions, and the coupling degree between risk factors was measured using an improved coupling degree model. Then, a system dynamics model was established to simulate and analyze the coupling effects among the risk factors and determine the combinations with the greatest influence. The results show that the risk probability is proportional to the risk coupling value, the human–environment coupling value is the largest, and the material equipment–management coupling value is the smallest. The human–environment system simulation shows that reducing the coupling value of system factors will promote a decrease in the total level of system risk. According to the research conclusions, measures to prevent risk coupling are proposed, which offer theoretical references for green building practitioners carrying out risk management; these measures hold a certain guiding significance for the risk control and future development of green buildings.

LINGUISTIC MARKERS OF EXTREMISM IN ISLAMIST TEXTS OF THE RELIGIOUS GENRE “SERMON”: METHODOLOGICAL ASPECT

Linguistic examination of texts with allegedly extremist content is carried out using special methods. The most popular today are lexical-semantic, semantic-syntactic methods, as well as the method of discourse anal-ysis, which allow an expert linguist to make an objective expert opinion on the issues raised. An expert linguist conduc ting an examination of texts with allegedly extremist content has to identify linguistic markers of extrem-ism that are implemented at all language levels. The linguistic examination of Islamist discourse texts involves taking into account genre features of a religious text, having an impact on linguistic markers. Islamist discourse is understood as texts related to political radical trends of Islamism. The article presents fundamental diff erenc-es between the terms “Islam” as a world religion and “Islamism” as a political trend. We propose an algorithm for the me thodology of analyzing texts of allegedly extremist content based on the material of an Islamist text of the “sermon” genre, the main function of which is to instruct believers. Linguistic markers of extremism in the sermon genre are identifi ed during the analysis and are classifi ed according to their main functions: motivation and appeal, negation, demonstration of the superiority of one person or group of persons over other people based on nationality, origin and attitude to religion. These linguistic markers are implemented using the following lin-guistic means: morphological (verbs of obligation, verbs of the 2nd person singular or plural in the imperative mood, the form of the imperative of the 1st person plural); syntactic (particles in imperative sentences, complex sentences with subordinate clauses, addresses in combination with verbs in the imperative mood of the 2nd per-son plural); rhetorical means (rhetorical questions, antithesis); lexical and semantic means (nouns, verbs and oth-er parts of speech with negative connotations); morphemic and word-formation means (comparative, superlative forms). The identifi ed linguistic markers realize the function of demonstrating superiority, appeal, negativity in relation to “strangers”, “others”.

Priority areas for the development of the health technology assessment system in Ukraine: survey results

The purpose of the study is to analyze the expert opinion on the priority areas of development of the HTA in Ukraine, taking into account the existing condition, problems and possible prospects for effective development. Materials and methods. The expert survey (online questionnaire) included the preparation of a special questionnaire, targeted selection of experts based on their competence in the field of HTA. Three groups of respondents took part in the survey, including 13 HTA developers, 32 users, and 31 informed persons to ensure the representativeness of the survey results. The following methods were used to process and interpret the results: scientific generalization, mathematical and statistical, analytical, and graphical. Results of the study. Based on the results of the expert survey, the role and place of the HTA in the health care system was determined. Experts see the main purpose of the HTA as preparing the necessary information of the relevant level of evidence for decision-making on the selection of optimal MTs (in particular, for budget procurement, inclusion in regulatory lists for price regulation and reimbursement). The respondents' opinions on the participation of different socio-professional groups in the implementation of the HTA and the use of its results were studied. Thus, according to the results of the survey, HTA experts and scientists can carry out the assessment, and in some cases (mini-HTA, hospital HTA for the formation of local formularies and protocols) – specialists of medical institutions. According to the respondents, it is advisable to expand the use of HTA results for decision-making at the national, regional and local levels. According to the survey, the priority areas for the development of HTA are the creation of a professional environment, adequate logistical and informational support, improvement of legislation, creation of an optimal institutional structure, harmonization of HTA methodology and development of international cooperation. Conclusions. The expert survey allowed us to determine the most likely scenario for the further development of HTA in Ukraine. According to the majority of respondents, the main efforts are currently focused on capacity building, formation of a professional environment, active use of evidence, and infrastructure development.