How can we future-proof HTA in an era of innovations in digital health? Reflections from participants

Firstly, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to attend the Priorities 2024 Conference held in Bangkok, Thailand. The conference was a reliable source of learning and networking with diverse professionals from various countries. I would like to express my appreciation to the conference organisers for selecting me as a recipient of the 2024 travel grant.

The session I attended focused on an insightful discussion of the future of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and country practices. The session highlighted the recent technological advancements, presented some facts about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on health systems, and emphasised with a clear message on the critical need for adaptable and resilient HTA systems within our local health systems. Here are some key takeaways from my notes:

1. The Power of Digitalization in Healthcare:
   The session opened with an acknowledgment of the transformative power of digitalisation in healthcare. Technologies like telemedicine, which became indispensable during the pandemic, and innovations such as personalised medicine and AI-driven diagnostics, are not just reshaping the health system but also revolutionising it. However, the swift pace of these advancements presents unique challenges for healthcare systems, particularly in the realm of HTA.
2. Diversity of Perspectives:
   One of the most important aspects of the session was the diversity of perspectives shared by experts from different countries, namely Singapore, Korea, the UK, Tanzania, and a perspective from the Southeast Asian region. The presentations offered a comparative lens on how various healthcare systems work. Australia’s case study on the framework for the value assessment and reimbursement of digital health solutions provided a lively example of integrating digital technologies into public health systems for evidence-based decision-making.
3. Innovative HTA Approaches:
   Similarly, Korea’s Innovative HTA Approach and Singapore’s early HTA initiatives were highlighted as exemplary practices that WHO-SEARO countries should consider adopting to implement innovative HTA methods within their health systems.
4. Challenges and Solutions
   Several challenges and the way forward to mitigate them were well presented and discussed. From the discussion, it was recommended that a pre-liminary assessment of the existing HTA frameworks within a country be highly recommended.

In conclusion, the session highlighted the immense potential of digital health technologies to revolutionise healthcare delivery. However, it also brought to the forefront the significant challenges that accompany these advancements, particularly in terms of data availability, quality, and resource constraints, with country-context examples. The session concluded with a common understanding that there is a need for ongoing dialogue and collaboration to future-proof HTA in the era of innovation.