Health technology assessment in Denmark.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Health Policy

Background:

• The Danish healthcare system is decentralized, with counties managing hospitals and general practitioners acting as gatekeepers.
• The system has maintained steady healthcare costs due to its structure.
• Historically, health technology assessment (HTA) was not mandated for policy decisions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the development and integration of health technology assessment (HTA) within the Danish healthcare system.
• To understand the factors influencing the adoption of evidence-based healthcare and health economic analyses in policy-making.

Main Methods:

• Review of historical policy documents and national strategies related to healthcare and HTA.
• Analysis of the establishment and role of the Danish national institute for HTA (DIHTA).
• Assessment of trends in evidence-based healthcare awareness and regional HTA activities.

Main Results:

• Despite no regulatory requirement, comprehensive health technology assessments have informed Danish national health policy since the late 1970s.
• The Danish Institute for Health Technology Assessment (DIHTA) was established in 1997 following public criticism and a national HTA strategy.
• There is increasing acceptance of evidence-based healthcare and health economic analyses, alongside growing regional HTA initiatives.

Conclusions:

• The Danish healthcare system is evolving towards greater utilization of health technology assessment (HTA) and evidence-based decision-making.
• The establishment of DIHTA and increasing regional HTA activity indicate a positive trajectory for HTA in Denmark.
• The future of health technology assessment (HTA) in Denmark appears promising, supporting informed health policy and resource allocation.