A study of health technology assessment in Canadian hospitals.

摘要

The modern hospital has benefited greatly from technological advancement. Healthcare technology provides numerous benefits including increased quality of care, improved patient and staff safety, quicker diagnosis, and reduced incidence of error. Healthcare Technology Assessment (HTA) serves as a decision-making mechanism and planning process to maximize benefits and minimize costs by approving or rejecting technologies under consideration. The aim of this thesis study was to evaluate the current state of HTA in Canadian hospitals. The primary research tool employed in this investigation was a confidential questionnaire (distributed to over six hundred institutions), which sought insight into Canadian hospitals' healthcare technology evaluation processes and experiences with new and emerging diagnostic and treatment capabilities. Analysis of response data revealed major insufficiencies in HTA and a need for process refinement and renovation. In order to meet future advances in biomedical science and technology, adequate and comprehensive HTA processes will be indispensable.