In:
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, Cambridge University Press (CUP), Vol. 33, No. 2 ( 2017), p. 135-146
Abstract:
Objectives: The evaluation of public health interventions poses some challenges. As a consequence, health technology assessment (HTA) methods for public health interventions (PHI) have to be adapted. This study aimed to summarize the available guidance on methods for HTA of PHI. Methods: We systematically searched for methodological guidance on HTA of PHIs. Our focus was on research synthesis methods to evaluate effectiveness. Relevant information was synthesized narratively in a standardized way. Results: Only four guidance documents were identified specifically for HTAs of PHI. The approaches used for HTAs of PHIs are broader and more flexible than those for medical interventions. For this reason, there is a tendency to identify the intervention components and context factors that influence the effectiveness and transferability of an intervention rather than to assess its effectiveness in general. The details in the guidance vary without justification. Unjustified heterogeneity between the different guidance approaches is most pronounced for quality assessment, assessment of applicability, and methods to integrate qualitative and quantitative evidence. Descriptions for the assessment of integrity, heterogeneity, sustainability, context factors, and applicability are often vague. Conclusions: The heterogeneity in approaches indicates that there is currently no consensus on methods to deal with the challenges of the PHI evaluations. A possible explanation for this may be that the methods are not sufficiently developed, and advantages and disadvantages of a certain method in relation to the research question (e.g., broad/focused) have not yet been sufficiently evaluated.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0266-4623
,
1471-6348
DOI:
10.1017/S0266462317000228
Language:
English
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publication Date:
2017
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2020486-3
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