Evidence informed decision-making in healthcare: the case for health technology assessment.

Delivery of publicly funded healthcare is at the nexus of three conflicting objectives: (1) increasing access to care; (2) improving the quality of care; and (3) sustaining its public financing. This article demonstrates that with tools such as health technology assessment (HTA) evidence informed policy and decision-malting (as opposed to following doctrine, habit or expert opinion) access, quality and sustainability do not need to be mutually exclusive. A structure and approach for adopting and advancing HTA in healthcare organizations is provided. Policy recommendations are suggested.