Knowledge in health technology assessment: who, what, how?

Int J Technol Assess Health Care. 2011 Oct;27(4):324-9. doi: 10.1017/S0266462311000511.

Abstract

Health systems are placing more and more emphasis on designing and delivering services that are focused on the patient, and there is a growing interest in patient aspects of health policy research and health technology assessment (HTA). Only a few HTA agencies use and invest in scientific methods to generate knowledge and evidence about the patient aspects of a given technology. This raises questions about how knowledge is produced in HTA reports and what kind of knowledge is considered relevant. This article uses a Danish HTA on patient education from 2009 as empirical material for a critical examination and discussion of knowledge and knowledge production about the patient aspects of HTA.

MeSH terms

  • Denmark
  • Health Policy
  • Humans
  • Knowledge*
  • Patient Education as Topic / organization & administration*
  • Patient-Centered Care
  • Technology Assessment, Biomedical / organization & administration*