Last update:
04-Apr-2013

The development of health technology assessment has assumed transnational dimensions in assessing interventions in the levels of technology, of policy of individual and of population, and it is determined by both international and national organizations. Policy analysis, evidence-based medicine, health economic evaluation and the techniques of both social and humanistic sciences are included in the research methodology, providing a bridge between research and decision-making in the dissemination of health technology throughout the health care systems. The beginning of health technology assessment by the Office of Technology Assessment in the USA in the mid 1970s led to the creation of numerous international and national organizations and programs, such as the International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment, the Health Technology Assessment international, the European Network for Health Technology Assessment and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. In the European Union, the European Commission has supported health technology assessment by funding four projects from 1993 to 2008 aimed at strengthening its role. Today the European Network for Health Technology Assessment provides a functional basis for European collaboration in the field of health technology assessment, while about 15 countries have official organizations and the interest of other countries in becoming involved is increasing. In the USA where the implementation of health technology assessment began, initiatives for compiling reports originate from both the public and private sector. In 2009 a bill was enacted funding 1.1 billion dollars for research into the comparative effectiveness of alternative treatments, and procedures for both patient and US economy maintaining health technology assessment are in the national agenda.

Key words: Europe, Health Technology Assessment, USA.