Post-introduction observation of healthcare technologies after coverage: the Spanish proposal.

OBJECTIVES: When a new health technology has been approved by a health system, it is difficult to guarantee that it is going to be efficiently adopted, adequately used, and that effectiveness, safety, and consumption of resources and costs are in line with what was expected in preliminary investigations. Many governmental institutions promote the idea that efficient mechanisms should be established aimed at developing and incorporating continuous evidence into health technologies management. The purpose of this article is to stimulate the discussion on systematic post-introduction observation of health technologies. METHODS: Literature review and input of HTA experts. RESULTS: The study addresses the key issues related to post-introduction observation and presents a summary of the guide commissioned by the Spanish Ministry of Health, Social Policy and Equality to the Galician HTA agency for the prioritization and implementation of systematic post-introduction observation in Spain. The manuscript describes the prioritization tool developed as part of this project and discusses the main aspects of protocol development, observation implementation, and assessment of results. CONCLUSIONS: The observation of prioritized health technologies after they are introduced in standard clinical practice can provide useful information for health organizations. However, implementing the observation of health technologies can require specific policy frameworks, commitment from different stakeholders, and dedicated funding.

Pago por desempeño explicado desde la teoría de costos de transacción / Pay for performance explained by transaction costs theory

Objetivo Evaluar la capacidad de la teoría de costos de transacción para explicar los incentivos en la cadena de salud. Métodos Estudio de un caso de CPS, una aseguradora de salud en Bogotá (Colombia), que prefiere no publicar su nombre. Resultados CPS se mueve en el ambiente de altos costos de transacción y utiliza la forma híbrida de gobernación en el nivel ambulatorio. La intensidad de incentivos, el control administrativo y el contrato están de acuerdo con la teoría. En el nivel hospitalario, a pesar de la alta incertidumbre, se utiliza el mercado. Los incentivos discretos tipo (1,0) y la ausencia de control administrativo dificultan a CPS relacionar el pago con el desempeño hospitalario. Conclusiones La teoría de costos de transacción explica satisfactoriamente la configuración de los incentivos. Otro aporte a la literatura lo constituye el criterio para diferenciar entre mercado e híbrido. Se propone que para el mercado son característicos incentivos discretos tipo (1,0), mientras que para híbrido son los incentivos continuos tipo comisión(AU)

Objective To evaluate the ability of transaction costs theory to explain incentives in the health care chain. Methods We performed a case study of CPS, a health insurance company in Bogota (Colombia), which preferred not to publish its name. Results CPS moves in the environment of high transaction costs and uses the hybrid form of governance at the outpatient level. Incentive intensity, administrative control and the contract all agree with the theory. At the hospital level, the market is used, despite greater uncertainty. Because of the discrete form (1.0) of the incentives and the absence of administrative control, it is difficult for CPS to relate payment to hospital performance. Conclusions Transaction costs theory explains the configuration of incentives. Another contribution made by this theory to the literature is the criterion to differentiate between the market and the hybrid. We propose that the market uses discrete-type (1.0) incentives, while the hybrid uses continuous, commission-like incentives(AU)

Demandas y expectativas de la evaluación de tecnologías sanitarias en Galicia. Análisis cualitativo desde la perspectiva de decisores y clínicos / Requirements for and expectations of health technology assessment in Galicia (Spain). A qualitative study from the perspective of decision-makers and clinicians

Objetivo Explorar la percepción de utilización de la evaluación de tecnologías sanitarias en el sistema sanitario público de Galicia, obtener valoraciones sobre la utilidad de los diferentes servicios y productos desarrollados por la Agencia de Evaluación de Tecnologías Sanitarias de Galicia (avalia-t), e identificar barreras y facilitadores a la transferencia de resultados a la práctica clínica. Método Estudio cualitativo basado en 20 entrevistas en profundidad semiestructuradas realizadas a expertos seleccionados mediante muestreo intencional (diez del ámbito clínico y diez de gestión). Las entrevistas fueron grabadas y se realizó un análisis temático inductivo de la información. Resultados Se evidenció un alto grado de interés por la evaluación de tecnologías sanitarias, aunque la gran mayoría de los entrevistados aludieron a su infrautilización como herramienta de decisión en la práctica asistencial. Se identificaron una serie de factores clave para garantizar el éxito de la evaluación: el aumento de las actividades de difusión y disponibilidad de los resultados, el fomento de la comunicación e implicación de los profesionales sanitarios en la selección y priorización de temas a evaluar, la contextualización y adaptación de los estudios al contexto, el aumento del respaldo organizativo y el mayor apoyo económico. Conclusiones El presente estudio permite contrastar con los usuarios finales la valoración/utilidad de los diferentes productos/servicios ofertados por las agencias para poder adecuar la actividad a sus necesidades y expectativas. La colaboración de los profesionales se plantea como uno de los principales ejes de acción para las agencias de evaluación, participación que hay que reforzar en la vertiente del contacto personal, al tiempo que debe fortalecerse la retroalimentación en los procesos de colaboración(AU)

Objective To explore perceptions of the use of health technology assessment (HTA) in the Galician public health system, identify opinions on the usefulness of the products and services developed by the Galician Health Technology Assessment Agency (avalia-t), and determine the barriers and facilitators to the transfer of results to clinical practice. Method We performed a qualitative study based on in-depth semi-structured interviews of 20 intentionally selected experts (10 health care professionals and 10 hospital decision makers). The interviews were tape recorded and transcribed for inductive thematic analysis. Results Interest in HTA activities was high, but most informants considered these activities to be underused as a tool to aid decision making in clinical practice. A series of key factors was identified to guarantee HTA use: greater dissemination of HTA activities and availability of the results, increased involvement and communication among health care professionals in the selection and prioritization of relevant research, contextualization and adaptation of results to the local context, increased organizational support and greater financial resources. Conclusions The present study allows end-users¿ opinions on the utility of the various products/services offered by HTA agencies to be contrasted in order to adapt HTA activity to their needs and requirements. The involvement of health care professionals in all HTA fields is perceived as one of the main lines of action for HTA agencies. Such involvement could be achieved by reinforcing personal contact and increasing feedback to collaborators(AU)

[Requirements for and expectations of health technology assessment in Galicia (Spain). A qualitative study from the perspective of decision-makers and clinicians]. / Demandas y expectativas de la evaluación de tecnologías sanitarias en Galicia. Análisis cualitativo desde la perspectiva de decisores y clínicos.

OBJECTIVE: To explore perceptions of the use of health technology assessment (HTA) in the Galician public health system, identify opinions on the usefulness of the products and services developed by the Galician Health Technology Assessment Agency (avalia-t), and determine the barriers and facilitators to the transfer of results to clinical practice. METHOD: We performed a qualitative study based on in-depth semi-structured interviews of 20 intentionally selected experts (10 health care professionals and 10 hospital decision makers). The interviews were tape recorded and transcribed for inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Interest in HTA activities was high, but most informants considered these activities to be underused as a tool to aid decision making in clinical practice. A series of key factors was identified to guarantee HTA use: greater dissemination of HTA activities and availability of the results, increased involvement and communication among health care professionals in the selection and prioritization of relevant research, contextualization and adaptation of results to the local context, increased organizational support and greater financial resources. CONCLUSIONS: The present study allows end-users opinions on the utility of the various products/services offered by HTA agencies to be contrasted in order to adapt HTA activity to their needs and requirements. The involvement of health care professionals in all HTA fields is perceived as one of the main lines of action for HTA agencies. Such involvement could be achieved by reinforcing personal contact and increasing feedback to collaborators.