How can we future-proof HTA in an era of innovations in digital health? Reflections from participants
Scientist-D at the HTA Regional Resource Centre, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), India.
The Priorities 2024 Conference, held from May 8-10 in Bangkok, was a pivotal event for health technology assessment (HTA). This 14th biennial meeting of the International Society for Priorities in Health (ISPH), and the first in Asia, was hosted by Thailand’s Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program (HITAP). With 321 delegates from 44 countries, discussions centred on innovations in HTA, AI’s role, prioritising during emergencies, and integrating climate change into health decisions.
At PRIORITIES 2024, I presented my study on AI-supported tools in systematic reviews and was thrilled to receive the ‘Honorary Best Oral Presentation award’.
I am writing to share my experience at PRIORITIES 2024, especially the session ‘Pushing the Edge of The Envelope: Future-Proofing Health Technology Assessment in the Era of Innovation’. This session was relevant to my research, and I found it both fascinating and insightful.
This session was all about the future of HTA amidst rapid tech advancements. We discussed the challenges and opportunities of emerging digital health technologies, focusing on their evaluation, integration, and sustainability.
We had an amazing panel of experts (from right to left in the picture below):
- Dr. Karthik Adapa, Regional Adviser, Digital Health, World Health Organization Southeast Asia Region (WHO-SEARO).
- Asst. Prof. Chen Wenjia and Asst. Prof. Wang Yi, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, NUS.
- Sunghoon Park, National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency (NECA), Korea.
- Hugh McGuire, Senior Adviser, NICE International and NICE Advice.
- Dr. Omary Chillo, College of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Tanzania.
The session was moderated by Ms. Saudamini Dabak, Head of the International Unit at HITAP.
Key Themes:
The session covered several key themes:
- Impact of Digital Health: Transforming healthcare delivery, especially in low-resource and emergency settings, with global initiatives and WHO’s role.
- Trends in Digital Health Technologies: Foundational and emerging trends such as telemedicine, Electronic Health Records (EHR), big data analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the health data revolution.
- Electronic Health Records (EHR): Successful implementation in Singapore and Brunei, improving communication and patient outcomes.
- Digitalization in Healthcare: Advancements in data analytics, sensor technology, and cloud services, with discussions on sustainable implementation.
- AI in Digital Health: Differentiating between generative AI and traditional AI, focusing on predictive modelling and data analysis.
- Digital Health Infrastructure: Emphasising robust infrastructure for efficient information exchange, with India as a case study.
- User-Centric Digital Health Products: Developing products tailored to various user groups, highlighting Singapore’s examples.
Key Insights:
- Innovative Approaches: We discussed integrating Real-World Data (RWD) platforms for comprehensive technology evaluation and developing sophisticated frameworks for pre-entry assessments.
- Future-Proofing HTA: Strategies included modifying pathways for dynamic and flexible assessments, supporting evidence generation through collaboration with technology developers, and leveraging RWD for robust data.
- AI and Digital Health: The session explored how AI and digital health technologies can be integrated into HTA processes. Generative AI’s potential to revolutionise patient care and data management was contrasted with traditional AI’s role in predictive modelling and structured data analysis.
Panel Discussion Summary:
The panel emphasised the importance of integrating innovative technologies into HTA, generating robust evidence, and using RWD platforms, while addressing implementation pace, equity, and patient safety.
Personal Reflections:
- Key Takeaways: The focus on future-proofing HTA through innovative approaches and integrating advanced technologies was particularly compelling. The discussions on RWD platforms and balancing traditional and generative AI in healthcare were especially thought-provoking.
- Impact on My Work: The insights from this session align perfectly with our efforts at JIPMER to enhance data-driven decision-making. The innovative approaches discussed will inform our strategies for integrating new technologies into our HTA processes.
Future Directions:
HTA will see greater integration of AI and digital health technologies, enhanced collaboration with developers, and a stronger focus on real-world evidence. Ensuring equity and patient safety will be crucial.
Conclusion:
The session ‘Pushing the Edge of The Envelope: Future-Proofing Health Technology Assessment in the Era of Innovation’ was insightful. It highlighted innovative approaches, real-world data platforms, and flexible assessment frameworks to adapt to rapid technological advancements. The discussions highlighted the transformative potential of AI and digital health tools, emphasising the need for robust evidence generation, equity, and patient safety.
Additional information and acknowledgments:
My work focuses on evaluating cost-effectiveness of clinical and public health interventions. I have also begun exploring the potential applications of AI in HTA. At Priorities 2024, I presented my study on AI-supported tools in systematic reviews and was thrilled to receive the ‘Honorary Best Oral Presentation award’.
A big thank you to the Priorities 2024 organisers for inviting me to share my experiences and the speakers. I also want to thank my colleagues and my mentor Dr. Sitanshu Sekhar Kar, Professor & Head, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine at JIPMER for their continuous support.
