Core competencies for ethics experts in health technology assessment

Area of Science:

• Health Technology Assessment
• Bioethics
• Medical Ethics

Background:

• There is no consensus on the qualifications required for conducting ethical analysis within health technology assessment (HTA).
• This lack of clarity raises questions about the specific expertise and skill sets needed for this critical work.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clarify the concept of ethics expertise.
• To describe and specify the characteristics of ethics expertise essential for health technology assessment (HTA).

Main Methods:

• Literature review and analysis of experiences in ethical analysis within HTA.
• Critical analysis of information by members of the Health Technology Assessment International (HTAi) Interest Group on Ethical Issues in HTA during workshops.
• Development of working definitions for "ethics expertise" and "core competencies" through workshops and online discussions.

Main Results:

• Expertise encompasses both explicit and tacit knowledge, gained through formal training and social learning.
• Specialist ethical expertise is acquired beyond general societal ethical understanding.
• Ethics expertise in HTA requires general ethical knowledge and specific knowledge of the HTA ethical domain.

Conclusions:

• The identified core competencies (knowledge, skills, attitudes) are fundamental for ethics experts in HTA.
• These competencies can guide HTA agencies and stakeholders in enhancing ethical analysis.
• Strengthening ethical analysis is vital for the responsible advancement of health technologies.