Health Technology Assessment Research Unit

Health technology assessment (HTA) is a structured analysis of a health technology, a set of related technologies, or a technology-related issue that is performed for the purpose of providing input to a policy decision (US Congress, Office of Technology Assessment 1994). HTA asks important questions about these technologies [drugs, devices, procedures, settings of care, screening] such as: When is counselling better than drug treatment for depression? Should we screen for human papilloma virus when doing cervical smears? Should aspirin be used for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease? It answers these questions by investigating four main factors: whether the technology works, for whom, at what cost, how it compares with the alternatives (UK NHS National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment Programme 2013).

HTA is a field of scientific research to inform policy and clinical decision making around the introduction and diffusion of health technologies. HTA is a multidisciplinary field that addresses the health impacts of technology, considering its specific healthcare context as well as available alternatives. Contextual factors addressed by HTA include economic, organizational, social, and ethical impacts. The scope and methods of HTA may be adapted to respond to the policy needs of a particular health system (Health Technology Assessment International 2013).

CPHR’s team with expertise in clinical trials, epidemiology, biostatistics, and economic modelling are currently involved in several projects aimed at evidence to inform policy and practice in the areas of digital health technologies, and health services.