Finding common ground: collaboration to solve 'wicked' problems.

Area of Science:

• Health Policy and Management
• Health Economics
• Collaborative Governance

Background:

• Collaboration is crucial for addressing complex health challenges.
• Health Technology Assessment (HTA) collaborations involve diverse stakeholders like HTA agencies, academia, industry, and patient groups.
• Successful collaboration hinges on shared goals, aims, and commitment to solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore facilitators and barriers to HTA collaboration in the Asia region.
• To enhance the collaborative process among diverse health system stakeholders.
• To articulate the value and benefits of HTA collaboration globally.

Main Methods:

• Open discussions and dialogue among industry and agency members of the Health Technology Assessment International (HTAi) Asia Policy Forum (APF).
• Meeting held in Seoul, South Korea, in November 2024.
• Identification of risks, obstacles, and strategies for improving collaboration.

Main Results:

• Identified specific risks and obstacles hindering HTA collaboration in the Asia region.
• Highlighted strategies for developing and utilizing collaborative processes more effectively.
• Articulated the significant value and benefits of HTA collaboration at regional and global levels.

Conclusions:

• Strengthening HTA collaboration is vital for navigating complex health system issues.
• Addressing identified barriers can lead to more efficient and impactful HTA processes.
• Enhanced collaboration fosters innovation and improves health outcomes through shared expertise and resources.