Addo Rebecca, Hall Jane, Haas Marion, Goodall Stephen
Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, Australia.
Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, Australia.
Soc Sci Med. 2020 Feb 29;250:112889. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.112889.
Although health technology assessment (HTA) is intended to provide policymakers with objective information, the likelihood that a health decision-maker (HDM) will use this information is associated with their knowledge, role and perception of the HTA process. In Ghana, policymakers are working towards formalising the use of HTA, but HDM knowledge of and attitude towards HTA are not known. Between March and May 2016, we conducted in-depth interviews and used inductive thematic analysis to explore Ghanaian HDMs (n = 23) and researchers' (n = 4) perceptions of and barriers to HTA and identify ways to promote HTA. We compare our findings with those reported in previous studies conducted in low-and-middle-income countries. Common themes were that resources, political and cultural factors act as barriers to HTA use. Recommendations made in previous studies which were also identified in this study included the need for the development of both human and data capacity, allocating funds to HTA and stakeholder involvement in HTA processes. Specific recommendations made by Ghanaian HDMs and researchers in this study focused on the establishment of an HTA body: its location, the constitution of the appraisal team, the type of evidence to appraise and who makes the final decision. The findings provide important information in the context of current planning to institutionalise HTA in Ghana. Addressing the identified barriers will enable policymakers to maximise the chances of realising the expected benefits of HTA, as participants who are potential producers and end-users are likely to use what they have contributed to.
尽管卫生技术评估（HTA）旨在为政策制定者提供客观信息，但卫生决策制定者（HDM）使用该信息的可能性与其对HTA过程的了解、角色和认知相关。在加纳，政策制定者正致力于使HTA的使用正规化，但HDM对HTA的了解和态度尚不清楚。2016年3月至5月期间，我们进行了深入访谈，并采用归纳主题分析法，以探究加纳HDM（n = 23）和研究人员（n = 4）对HTA的认知及HTA的障碍，并确定促进HTA的方法。我们将研究结果与之前在低收入和中等收入国家开展的研究所报告的结果进行比较。共同主题是资源、政治和文化因素是HTA使用的障碍。本研究中也确定的先前研究提出的建议包括发展人力和数据能力、为HTA分配资金以及利益相关者参与HTA过程。加纳HDM和研究人员在本研究中提出的具体建议集中在设立一个HTA机构：其所在地、评估团队的组成、要评估的证据类型以及由谁做出最终决定。这些研究结果在加纳当前将HTA制度化的规划背景下提供了重要信息。解决已确定的障碍将使政策制定者能够最大限度地实现HTA预期效益的机会，因为作为潜在生产者和最终用户的参与者可能会使用他们所贡献的内容。
