British Columbia Health Technology Assessment

The Health Technology Assessment (HTA) process provides evidence-informed advice to support decisions on the provincial or regional adoption of certain non-drug therapeutics (e.g., devices, diagnostics, medical procedures and programs). The HTA process considers both new and existing health technologies. 

HTAs are customized to support the decision-making needs of individuals with authority to make decisions around planning and/or policy development (the system sponsor).  A comprehensive HTA may include components such as: a systematic review of clinical effectiveness evidence and or cost-effectiveness; international guidelines review; patient and provider perspectives; cost-effectiveness or other economic analyses; business impact analysis; environmental considerations; socioeconomic analysis; and human health resource impact assessment. As HTAs are tailored to the needs of the system sponsor, not all HTAs will include all components or may include analyses not listed here.

HTA Process

The HTA process is adapted to accommodate unique considerations for each health technology and the requirements of the system sponsor. Engagement with system sponsors, patient and clinician input are sought throughout this process. Time constraints are accommodated, when possible, but on average the process takes between six to twelve months. The HTA process has four main phases described below:

1. Topic Nomination – Topics (i.e., new or existing non-drug, health technologies) may be submitted for consideration at any time during the year. While a system sponsor is required for the HTA process, anyone can nominate a topic (see the nomination webpage for instructions). Selected topics are prioritized by the Health Technology Assessment Committee (HTAC) quarterly.

 See the HTAC webpage for a description of HTAC.

2. Conduct Assessment – the Health Technology Assessment Office collaborates with HTA and other experts to develop an HTA and/or any other relevant reports or analyses using the best available evidence for the selected topics.

3. Assessment Review – The HTAC reviews the health technology assessment, supporting materials as well as feedback from system sponsors and other experts.  

HTAC uses a multi-criteria decision analysis scoring matrix to review health technologies.

4. Knowledge Translation – HTAC’s findings, HTA products and HTA services are disseminated to the system sponsor and any other applicable entities. It is at the discretion of the system sponsor and any other applicable entities to determine if and how health technologies are provided. HTAC reports findings to Leadership Council annually. 

Completed HTAs can be viewed here.