Patrice X Chalon1, Peter Kraemer2. 1. Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre (KCE)patrice.chalon@kce.fgov.be. 2. Deutsches Institut für Medizinische Dokumentation und Information (DIMDI)Peter.Kraemer@dimdi.de.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe the techniques used in achieving consensus on common standards to be implemented in the EUnetHTA Information Management System (IMS); and to describe how interoperability between tools was explored. METHODS: Three face to face meetings were organized to identify and agree on common standards to the development of online tools. Two tools were created to demonstrate the added value of implementing interoperability standards at local levels. Developers of tools outside EUnetHTA were identified and contacted. RESULTS: Four common standards have been agreed on by consensus; and consequently all EUnetHTA tools have been modified or designed accordingly. RDF Site Summary (RSS) has demonstrated a good potential to support rapid dissemination of HTA information. Contacts outside EUnetHTA resulted in direct collaboration (HTA glossary, HTAi Vortal), evaluation of options for interoperability between tools (CRD HTA database) or a formal framework to prepare cooperation on concrete projects (INAHTA projects database). CONCLUSIONS: While being entitled a project on IT infrastructure, the work program was also about people. When having to agree on complex topics, fostering a cohesive group dynamic and hosting face to face meetings brings added value and enhances understanding between partners. The adoption of widespread standards enhanced the homogeneity of the EUnetHTA tools and should thus contribute to their wider use, therefore, to the general objective of EUnetHTA. The initiatives on interoperability of systems need to be developed further to support a general interoperable information system that could benefit the whole HTA community.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe the techniques used in achieving consensus on common standards to be implemented in the EUnetHTA Information Management System (IMS); and to describe how interoperability between tools was explored. METHODS: Three face to face meetings were organized to identify and agree on common standards to the development of online tools. Two tools were created to demonstrate the added value of implementing interoperability standards at local levels. Developers of tools outside EUnetHTA were identified and contacted. RESULTS: Four common standards have been agreed on by consensus; and consequently all EUnetHTA tools have been modified or designed accordingly. RDF Site Summary (RSS) has demonstrated a good potential to support rapid dissemination of HTA information. Contacts outside EUnetHTA resulted in direct collaboration (HTA glossary, HTAi Vortal), evaluation of options for interoperability between tools (CRDHTA database) or a formal framework to prepare cooperation on concrete projects (INAHTA projects database). CONCLUSIONS: While being entitled a project on IT infrastructure, the work program was also about people. When having to agree on complex topics, fostering a cohesive group dynamic and hosting face to face meetings brings added value and enhances understanding between partners. The adoption of widespread standards enhanced the homogeneity of the EUnetHTA tools and should thus contribute to their wider use, therefore, to the general objective of EUnetHTA. The initiatives on interoperability of systems need to be developed further to support a general interoperable information system that could benefit the whole HTA community.
Authors: Lotte Geys; Tina Parciak; Ashkan Pirmani; Robert McBurney; Hollie Schmidt; Tanja Malbaša; Tjalf Ziemssen; Arnfin Bergmann; Juan I Rojas; Edgardo Cristiano; Juan Antonio García-Merino; Óscar Fernández; Jens Kuhle; Claudio Gobbi; Amber Delmas; Steve Simpson-Yap; Nupur Nag; Bassem Yamout; Nina Steinemann; Pierrette Seeldrayers; Bénédicte Dubois; Ingrid van der Mei; Alexander Stahmann; Jelena Drulovic; Tatjana Pekmezovic; Waldemar Brola; Mar Tintore; Nynke Kalkers; Rumen Ivanov; Magd Zakaria; Maged Abdel Naseer; Wim Van Hecke; Nikolaos Grigoriadis; Marina Boziki; Adriana Carra; Mikolaj A Pawlak; Ruth Dobson; Kerstin Hellwig; Arlene Gallagher; Letizia Leocani; Gloria Dalla Costa; Nise Alessandra de Carvalho Sousa; Bart Van Wijmeersch; Liesbet M Peeters Journal: Int J MS Care Date: 2021-12-29