Health Technology Assessment (HTA)
A process used to evaluate the social, economic, organizational, and ethical issues of a health intervention or technology.
Implications
A systematic evaluation of the properties, effects, and/or impacts of health technology, often used by healthcare organizations and governments to inform policy decisions, assess cost-effectiveness, and guide the adoption of new medical treatments or devices.
Example
Example: A national health agency conducts a Health Technology Assessment on a new cancer drug, evaluating its clinical efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and impact on patient quality of life to decide whether it should be covered by public insurance.
Related Terms
Different from clinical trials, which focus solely on safety and efficacy, HTA considers a broader range of factors, including economic, ethical, and social implications.