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Defining the role of the public in Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and HTA-informed decision-making processes

Part of: Special Collection - Methods

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 March 2020

Jackie Street Open the ORCID record for Jackie Street [Opens in a new window] ,
Tania Stafinski ,
Edilene Lopes Open the ORCID record for Edilene Lopes [Opens in a new window]  and
Devidas Menon
Jackie Street*
Affiliation:
Australian Centre for Health Engagement, Evidence and Values (ACHEEV), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
Tania Stafinski
Affiliation:
HTPU, Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
Edilene Lopes
Affiliation:
School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
Devidas Menon
Affiliation:
Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
*
Author for correspondence: Jackie Street, E-mail: streetj@uow.edu.au
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Abstract

Objectives

The terminology used to describe community participation in Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is contested and frequently confusing. The terms patients, consumers, public, lay members, customers, users, citizens, and others have been variously used, sometimes interchangeably. Clarity in the use of terms and goals for including the different groups is needed to mitigate existing inconsistencies in the application of patient and public involvement (PPI) across HTA processes around the world.

Methods

We drew from a range of literature sources in order to conceptualize (i) an operational definition for the “public” and other stakeholders in the context of HTA and (ii) possible goals for their involvement. Draft definitions were tested and refined in an iterative consensus-building process with stakeholders from around the world.

Results

The goals, terminology, interests, and roles for PPI in HTA processes were clarified. The research provides rationales for why the role of the public should be distinguished from that of patients, their families, and caregivers. A definition for the public in the context of HTA was developed: A community member who holds the public interest and has no commercial, personal, or professional interest in the HTA process

Conclusions

There are two distinct aspects to the interests held by the public which should be explicitly included in the HTA process: the first lies in ensuring democratic accountability and the second in recognising the importance of including public values in decision making.

Keywords

Health technology assessmentMethodologyCommunity participationPatient participation
Type
Method
Information
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care , Volume 36 , Issue 2 , April 2020 , pp. 87 - 95
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2020

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