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Methodological approaches in conducting overviews: current state in HTA agencies
Dawid Pieper1, Sunya-Lee Antoine1, Jana-Carina Morfeld1
1Institute for Research in Operative Medicine, Director: Univ.- Prof. Dr. Prof. h.c. Edmund A. M. Neugebauer, Chair of Surgical Research, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Ostmerheimer Str. 200, Building 38, D-51109, Cologne, Germany.
Health Technology Assessment (HTA) agencies show rising interest in overviews for rapid decision-making. However, methodological guidance remains limited, necessitating further research and sharing of national strategies.
Area of Science:
- Health Technology Assessment
- Evidence Synthesis
- Systematic Reviews
Background:
- Overviews synthesize existing reviews, offering a potentially faster alternative to primary study reviews.
- Health Technology Assessment (HTA) agencies may utilize overviews to expedite decision-making processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize existing author instructions for conducting overviews.
- To assess the current methodology of overviews applied by international HTA agencies.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive search of 127 HTA agencies' websites for methodological handbooks and published overviews.
- Email outreach to HTA agencies to identify additional relevant resources.
Main Results:
- Eight HTA agencies offer methodological support for overviews.
- Thirteen HTA agencies have produced overviews since 2007, with six publishing more than four.
- Overviews are frequently used in rapid HTA assessments, often supplemented by searches for primary studies.
Conclusions:
- Despite growing interest, HTA agencies provide minimal methodological guidance for overviews.
- Overviews are valuable for rapid assessments supporting policy-making.
- Further empirical research and dissemination of national strategies are needed to advance overview methodology.
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