10 Best Practices for Stakeholder Engagement in HTA

Health Technology Assessment (HTA) needs good stakeholder engagement to make smart decisions. Here are 10 key ways to improve it:

1. Find stakeholders early
2. Explain goals clearly
3. Use different engagement methods
4. Make decision-making open
5. Train stakeholders
6. Include all relevant groups
7. Engage often and on time
8. Set up ways to get feedback
9. Consider ethical issues
10. Review and improve engagement

Let's break these down:

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1. Find Stakeholders Early

Reach out to key groups at the start:

• Patients and public
• Healthcare providers
• Payers and purchasers
• Policy makers
• Product makers
• Researchers

Early engagement helps:

• Get diverse views
• Ask better questions
• Improve methods
• Make findings more useful

"Patients have a right to participate in the planning and delivery of their healthcare, and it follows that they have a right to be part of the HTA process."

The EU HTA Regulation stresses the need for structured stakeholder involvement from the start.

2. Explain Goals Clearly

When engaging stakeholders:

• Define HTA elements (assessment and appraisal)
• Show how stakeholders add value
• Outline the timeline
• Use plain language
• Address concerns upfront

Use various methods to communicate:

Method	Benefits
Patient portals	Easy access for patients
Email updates	Regular, targeted info
In-person meetings	Direct dialogue
Webinars	Wide reach, Q&A
Printed materials	Tangible references

3. Use Different Engagement Methods

Mix up your approach:

1. Online platforms for ongoing input
2. Advisory boards with experts
3. Surveys for quick, broad data
4. Workshops for deep discussions
5. One-on-one interviews for key insights
6. Public meetings for open forums

Match methods to stakeholders:

Group	Best Methods
Patients	Online, surveys, focus groups
Clinicians	Advisory boards, workshops, interviews
Policymakers	Public meetings, advisory boards, interviews
Payers	Workshops, surveys, advisory boards
Researchers	Online, advisory boards, workshops

Adjust based on project needs and preferences.

4. Make Decision-Making Open

To build trust:

1. Explain the process clearly
2. Give reasons for decisions
3. Create formal input channels
4. Publish assessment details
5. Involve diverse groups

A study of NICE oncology assessments found gaps:

Aspect	% Missing Discussion
End of life/severity	27%
Innovation	36%

To improve:

• Host public meetings
• Create stakeholder networks
• Develop clear guidelines

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5. Train Stakeholders

Set up programs covering:

• HTA basics
• Decision-making processes
• Ways to contribute

Tailor training to groups:

Group	Focus
Patients	Basics, sharing experiences
Healthcare pros	In-depth methods, practical use
Policymakers	Using HTA for decisions

Use mixed methods:

• Workshops
• Online courses
• Hands-on practice
• Mentoring

Make training ongoing and track its impact.

6. Include All Relevant Groups

Get everyone involved:

• Patients and families
• Healthcare providers
• Payers
• Policymakers
• Researchers
• Tech developers

Use different methods for each group:

Stakeholder	Method
Patients	Focus groups, surveys
Clinicians	Expert panels, interviews
Policymakers	Workshops, briefings
Researchers	Literature reviews, data analysis

Start early and keep improving.

7. Engage Often and On Time

Set a clear timeline and use multiple touchpoints:

Stage	Method
Scoping	Draft review
Evidence gathering	Surveys, interviews
Report drafting	Public comments
Decision-making	Stakeholder meetings

Be consistent and prioritize early involvement. Keep communication open and meet deadlines.

8. Set Up Ways to Get Feedback

Create clear input channels:

• Open calls for involvement
• Multiple feedback methods (meetings, surveys, emails)
• Clear guidelines for participation
• Conflict of interest policies

Document and act on input to show its value.

9. Consider Ethical Issues

Address key concerns:

• Manage conflicts of interest
• Treat stakeholders fairly
• Be transparent
• Integrate patient perspectives
• Consider broader ethical impacts

Only 8-12% of conflict disclosures typically need review.

10. Review and Improve Engagement

Keep getting better:

• Track progress with metrics
• Get regular feedback
• Make changes based on input
• Train your team
• Review your strategy yearly
• Share what you've learned

These practices work. Countries like Kazakhstan, Poland, and Bulgaria are seeing real benefits from improved stakeholder engagement in HTA.

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