Author/Authors :
Mobinizadeh, Mohammadreza Department of Health Services Management - Science and Research Branch Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran , Raeissi, Pouran Department of Health Services Management - School of Management and Medical Information Science - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Nasiripour, Amir Ashkan Department of Health Services Management - Science and Research Branch Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran , Olyaeemanesh, Alireza National Institute for Health Research - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Tabibi, Jamaleddin Department of Health Services Management - Science and Research Branch Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract :
Background: In the recent years, using health technologies to diagnose and treat diseases has had a
considerable and accelerated growth. The proper use of these technologies may considerably help in
the diagnosis and treatment of different diseases. On the other hand, unlimited and unrestricted entry
of these technologies may result in induced demand by service providers. The aim of this study was
to determine the appropriate criteria used in health technologies priority-setting models in the world.
Methods: Using MESH and free text, we sought and retrieved the relevant articles from the most
appropriate medical databases (the Cochrane Library, PubMed and Scopus) through three separate
search strategies up to March 2015. The inclusion criteria were as follows: 1) Studies with specific
criteria; 2) Articles written in English; 3) Those articles conducted in compliance with priority setting
of health technologies. Data were analyzed qualitatively using a thematic synthesis technique.
Results: After screening the retrieved papers via PRISMA framework, from the 7,012 papers, 40
studies were included in the final phase. Criteria for selecting health technologies (in pre assessment
and in the assessment phase) were categorized into six main themes: 1) Health outcomes; 2) Disease
and target population; 3) Technology alternatives; 4) Economic aspects; 5) Evidence; 6) and other
factors. “Health effects/benefits” had the maximum frequency in health outcomes (8 studies); “disease
severity” had the maximum frequency in disease and target population (12 studies); “the number
of alternatives” had the maximum frequency in alternatives (2 studies); “cost-effectiveness” had
the maximum frequency in economic aspects (15 studies); “quality of evidence” had the maximum
frequency in evidence (4 studies); and “issues concerning the health system” had the maximum frequency
in other factors (10 studies).
Conclusion: The results revealed an increase in the number of studies on health technologies priority
setting around the world, and emphasized the necessity of application of a multi- criteria approach
for appropriate decision making about healthcare technologies in the health systems.
Keywords :
Health Technology Assessment , Health Systems , Health Technology , Priority Setting Criteria , Priority Setting
