Artificial intelligence applied in human health technology assessment: a scoping review protocol

Area of Science:

• Health Technology Assessment
• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
• Evidence Synthesis

Background:

• Health technology assessment (HTA) is a critical but resource-intensive process.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) offers potential for automating and accelerating HTA.
• AI can enhance the quality and timeliness of evidence for healthcare decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map existing studies applying AI tools to HTA tasks in human healthcare.
• To identify specific HTA processes where AI tools have been utilized.
• To understand the technical characteristics of AI tools employed in HTA.

Main Methods:

• Scoping review of studies using AI for HTA in human health.
• Exclusion of AI applications in clinical aid (e.g., diagnostics, surgery).
• Comprehensive search across multiple academic and gray literature databases without language restrictions.
• Data extraction and screening performed by two independent reviewers.
• Results to be presented narratively, with graphic and tabular summaries.

Main Results:

• This section is to be populated upon completion of the review.
• Expected to detail the landscape of AI applications in HTA.
• Will characterize the types of AI tools and their integration into HTA processes.

Conclusions:

• This review will provide a comprehensive overview of AI in HTA.
• Findings will inform researchers and policymakers on leveraging AI for efficient and effective HTA.
• Potential to guide future research and development of AI-driven HTA tools.