What is the primary purpose of health technology assessment (HTA)?

The primary purpose of health technology assessment (HTA) is to evaluate the social, economic, organizational, and ethical issues related to the use of health technology. This comprehensive evaluation helps healthcare decision-makers, policymakers, and other stakeholders understand the implications of adopting new health technologies. By focusing on multiple dimensions, HTA assists in assessing the overall value and impact of technologies on patient care, health outcomes, and healthcare systems.

This process includes analyzing clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and the broader social implications, enabling informed decisions regarding healthcare investments and prioritization of resources. The ultimate goal is to ensure that new technologies lead to improved health outcomes for populations while being sustainable and equitable. The integration of ethical considerations also emphasizes that healthcare decisions should align with societal values and norms, fostering trust in health systems and technologies.

In contrast, promoting technological advancements in hospitals, training healthcare staff, and developing new pharmaceuticals and devices, while important, do not encapsulate the comprehensive evaluative essence and multifaceted approach that HTA embodies. Instead, these activities may be by-products or elements that can influence or be influenced by HTA but do not represent its primary purpose.