Health technology assessment (HTA) readiness in Uganda : stakeholder's perceptions on the potential application of HTA to support national universal health coverage efforts
(2023) In International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 39(1).- Abstract
Introduction Health technology assessment (HTA) is an area that remains less implemented in low- and lower middle-income countries. The aim of the study is to understand the perceptions of stakeholders in Uganda toward HTA and its role in decision making, in order to inform its potential implementation in the country. Methods The study takes a cross-sectional mixed methods approach, utilizing an adapted version of the International Decision Support Initiative questionnaire with both semi-structured and open-ended questions. We interviewed thirty key informants from different stakeholder institutions in Uganda that support policy and decision making in the health sector. Results All participants perceived HTA as an important tool for... (More)
Introduction Health technology assessment (HTA) is an area that remains less implemented in low- and lower middle-income countries. The aim of the study is to understand the perceptions of stakeholders in Uganda toward HTA and its role in decision making, in order to inform its potential implementation in the country. Methods The study takes a cross-sectional mixed methods approach, utilizing an adapted version of the International Decision Support Initiative questionnaire with both semi-structured and open-ended questions. We interviewed thirty key informants from different stakeholder institutions in Uganda that support policy and decision making in the health sector. Results All participants perceived HTA as an important tool for decision making. Allocative efficiency was regarded as the most important use of HTA receiving the highest average score (8.8 out of 10), followed by quality of healthcare (7.8/10), transparency (7.6/10), budget control (7.5/10), and equity (6.5/10). There was concern that some of the uses of HTA may not be achieved in reality if there was political interference during the HTA process. The study participants identified development partners as the most likely potential users of HTA (66.7 percent of participants), followed by Ministry of Health (43.3 percent). Conclusion Interviewed stakeholders in Uganda viewed the role of HTA positively, suggesting that there exists a promising environment for the establishment and operationalization of HTA as a tool for decision making within the health sector. However, sustainable development and application of HTA in Uganda will require adequate capacity both to undertake HTAs and to support their use and uptake.
(Less)
- author
- publishing date
- 2023-10-31
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- decision making, health technology assessment (HTA), low and middle income countries, perception and experiences, priority setting, Uganda
- in
- International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care
- volume
- 39
- issue
- 1
- article number
- e65
- publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:85175595092
- pmid:37905441
- ISSN
- 0266-4623
- DOI
- 10.1017/S0266462323002635
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- no
- additional info
- Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press.
- id
- 74a17701-7856-4133-9da8-a858404e1d59
- date added to LUP
- 2024-06-18 14:21:21
- date last changed
- 2024-06-19 08:34:24
@article{74a17701-7856-4133-9da8-a858404e1d59,
abstract = {{<p>Introduction Health technology assessment (HTA) is an area that remains less implemented in low- and lower middle-income countries. The aim of the study is to understand the perceptions of stakeholders in Uganda toward HTA and its role in decision making, in order to inform its potential implementation in the country. Methods The study takes a cross-sectional mixed methods approach, utilizing an adapted version of the International Decision Support Initiative questionnaire with both semi-structured and open-ended questions. We interviewed thirty key informants from different stakeholder institutions in Uganda that support policy and decision making in the health sector. Results All participants perceived HTA as an important tool for decision making. Allocative efficiency was regarded as the most important use of HTA receiving the highest average score (8.8 out of 10), followed by quality of healthcare (7.8/10), transparency (7.6/10), budget control (7.5/10), and equity (6.5/10). There was concern that some of the uses of HTA may not be achieved in reality if there was political interference during the HTA process. The study participants identified development partners as the most likely potential users of HTA (66.7 percent of participants), followed by Ministry of Health (43.3 percent). Conclusion Interviewed stakeholders in Uganda viewed the role of HTA positively, suggesting that there exists a promising environment for the establishment and operationalization of HTA as a tool for decision making within the health sector. However, sustainable development and application of HTA in Uganda will require adequate capacity both to undertake HTAs and to support their use and uptake.</p>}},
author = {{Mayora, Chrispus and Kazibwe, Joseph and Ssempala, Richard and Nakimuli, Brenda and Ssennyonjo, Aloysius and Ekirapa, Elizabeth and Byakika, Sarah and Aliti, Tom and Musila, Timothy and Gad, Mohamed and Vassall, Anna and Ruiz, Francis and Ssengooba, Freddie}},
issn = {{0266-4623}},
keywords = {{decision making; health technology assessment (HTA); low and middle income countries; perception and experiences; priority setting; Uganda}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{10}},
number = {{1}},
publisher = {{Cambridge University Press}},
series = {{International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care}},
title = {{Health technology assessment (HTA) readiness in Uganda : stakeholder's perceptions on the potential application of HTA to support national universal health coverage efforts}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0266462323002635}},
doi = {{10.1017/S0266462323002635}},
volume = {{39}},
year = {{2023}},
}