Information specialist collaboration in Europe: collaborative methods, processes, and infrastructure through...

Area of Science:

• Health Technology Assessment
• Information Management
• European Healthcare Policy

Background:

• European health technology assessment (HTA) has a 30-year history, with early aspirations for European collaboration.
• The establishment of the European Network of Health Technology Assessment (EUnetHTA) in 2006 spurred collaborative efforts.
• Information management within HTA agencies faced challenges, including underrepresentation of information specialists and diverse organizational structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address challenges in information management within EUnetHTA.
• To foster collaboration and standardization among European HTA information specialists.
• To ensure consistent application of HTA methods across EUnetHTA assessments.

Main Methods:

• Development of common methodological understanding through EUnetHTA guidelines for rapid Relative Effectiveness Assessments.
• Creation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for complex information retrieval processes.
• Establishment of the Information Specialist Network (ISN) to formalize collaboration and methodological consistency.

Main Results:

• A common methodological framework for rapid Relative Effectiveness Assessments is now available.
• Standardized procedures for information retrieval have been implemented within EUnetHTA.
• The ISN provides a platform for information specialists' involvement and methodological support.

Conclusions:

• The ISN is crucial for ensuring consistent HTA methods and involving information specialists in all EUnetHTA assessments.
• Overcoming heterogeneity in daily work requires increased collaboration and training among EUnetHTA members.
• Standardization efforts, including guidelines and SOPs, aim to improve the efficiency and comparability of European HTA.