OBJECTIVES: Health technology assessment (HTA) is a policy-oriented form of research designed to inform decision-makers on the introduction, use, and dissemination of health technology. Whereas research on knowledge transfer has focused on knowledge producers, little attention has been given to the user's perspective. This study examines how health-care provider, administrator, and patient associations across Canada use HTA reports and the limitations they encounter when accessing and using scientific knowledge. METHODS: This study draws from semistructured interviews (n=42) conducted with three types of user, located in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Quebec. Applying well-established conceptual categories in knowledge utilization research, our qualitative analyses sought to define more precisely how HTA is used by interviewees as well as the most significant barriers they encounter. RESULTS: The vast majority of users recognize the usefulness and credibility of HTA reports. Of interest, the way they use HTA takes different forms. Although administrators and health-care providers are in a better position than patient associations to act directly on HTA messages--making an instrumental use of HTA--we also found conceptual and symbolic uses across all groups. Our results also indicate that significant organizational, scientific, and material limitations hinder the use of scientific evidence. Overcoming such barriers requires a greater commitment from both HTA producers and users. CONCLUSIONS: This study argues that, to ensure better uptake of HTA, it should become a shared responsibility between HTA producers and various types of user.
OBJECTIVES: Health technology assessment (HTA) is a policy-oriented form of research designed to inform decision-makers on the introduction, use, and dissemination of health technology. Whereas research on knowledge transfer has focused on knowledge producers, little attention has been given to the user's perspective. This study examines how health-care provider, administrator, and patient associations across Canada use HTA reports and the limitations they encounter when accessing and using scientific knowledge. METHODS: This study draws from semistructured interviews (n=42) conducted with three types of user, located in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Quebec. Applying well-established conceptual categories in knowledge utilization research, our qualitative analyses sought to define more precisely how HTA is used by interviewees as well as the most significant barriers they encounter. RESULTS: The vast majority of users recognize the usefulness and credibility of HTA reports. Of interest, the way they use HTA takes different forms. Although administrators and health-care providers are in a better position than patient associations to act directly on HTA messages--making an instrumental use of HTA--we also found conceptual and symbolic uses across all groups. Our results also indicate that significant organizational, scientific, and material limitations hinder the use of scientific evidence. Overcoming such barriers requires a greater commitment from both HTA producers and users. CONCLUSIONS: This study argues that, to ensure better uptake of HTA, it should become a shared responsibility between HTA producers and various types of user.
Authors: Mohammad Palesh; Carol Tishelman; Sten Fredrikson; Hamidreza Jamshidi; Göran Tomson; Azita Emami Journal: Health Res Policy Syst Date: 2010-04-06
Authors: Roland M Grad; Pierre Pluye; Jay Mercer; Bernard Marlow; Marie-Eve Beauchamp; Michael Shulha; Janique Johnson-Lafleur; Sharon Wood-Dauphinee Journal: J Am Med Inform Assoc Date: 2007-12-20 Impact factor: 4.497
Authors: Anne Mette Ølholm; Kristian Kidholm; Mette Birk-Olsen; Janne Buck Christensen Journal: Int J Technol Assess Health Care Date: 2016-02-15 Impact factor: 2.188