HTA Definition

Health technology is the application of scientific knowledge in health care and prevention.

Health technology assessment (HTA) is a multidisciplinary process that summarises information about the medical, social, economic and ethical issues related to the use of a health technology in a systematic, transparent, unbiased, robust manner. Its aim is to inform the formulation of safe, effective, health policies that are patient focused and seek to achieve best value.

Despite its policy goals, HTA must always be firmly rooted in research and the scientific method.

Examples of Health Technology

Diagnostic and treatment methods
Medical equipment
Pharmaceuticals
Rehabilitation and prevention methods
Organisational and supportive systems within which health care is provided

EU-supported HTA projects

EUnetHTA, 2006-2008
ECHTA/ECAHI (The European Collaboration for Health Technology Assessment/The European Collaboration for Health Interventions) Project, 1999-2001 (Reference: Jonsson E et al. eds. (2002) European collaboration for health technology assessment: developing an assessment network. Int J Technology Assessment in Health Care, 18: 213-455)
HTA Europe, 1997-1999 (Reference: Banta D, Oortwijn W, eds. (2000). Health Technology Assessment in the European Union. Int J Technology Assessment in Health Care, 16: 299-635)
EUR-ASSESS, 1994-1997 (Reference: Banta D et al (1997). Report from the EUR-ASSESS Project. Int J Technology Assessment in Health Care, 13: 133-340)