Health technology assessment implementation in WHO South-East Asia Region: a realist review protocol

Area of Science:

• Health Policy
• Health Economics
• Health Services Research

Background:

• A robust Health Technology Assessment (HTA) framework is essential for managing rising healthcare costs and ensuring high-quality health systems.
• This research focuses on understanding HTA methods and implementation mechanisms within the WHO South-East Asia region.
• The study aims to contextualize evidence for Indian settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe HTA methods and implementation mechanisms in the WHO South-East Asia region.
• To synthesize evidence relevant to Indian healthcare settings.
• To develop a practical framework for HTA implementation in India.

Main Methods:

• A realist review methodology will be employed, involving systematic literature searches across major databases.
• Program theory development will utilize the Context-Mechanism-Outcome configurations (CMOcs) framework.
• Stakeholder consultations and iterative evidence synthesis will inform the findings, adhering to RAMESES II guidelines.

Main Results:

• This section is to be populated upon study completion.

Conclusions:

• No comprehensive review currently exists on HTA methods in the WHO South-East Asia region.
• Findings will elucidate the operational mechanisms of HTA in South-East Asian countries.
• A tailored framework for Indian policymakers and HTA experts will be developed for effective HTA implementation.