Developing the HTA core model for the online environment.
BACKGROUND
A framework for collaborative production and sharing of HTA information, the HTA Core Model, was originally developed within EUnetHTA in 2006-08. In this paper, we describe the further development of the Model to allow implementation and utilization of the Model online. The aim was to capture a generic HTA process that would allow effective use of the HTA Core Model and resulting HTA information while at the same time not interfering with HTA agencies' internal processes.


METHODS
The work was coordinated by a development team in Finland, supported by an international expert group. Two pilot testing rounds were organized among EUnetHTA agencies and two extensive core HTA projects tested the tool in a real setting. The final work was also formally validated by a group of HTA agencies.


RESULTS
The HTA Core Model Online--available at http://www.corehta.info--is a web site hosting a) a tool to allow electronic utilization of the HTA Core Model and b) a database of produced HTA information. While access to the HTA information is free to all, the production features are currently available to EUnetHTA member agencies only. A policy was crafted to steer the use of the Model and produced information.


CONCLUSIONS
We have successfully enabled electronic use of the HTA Core Model and agreed on a policy for its utilization. The system is already being used in subsequent HTA projects within EUnetHTA Joint Action 2. Identified shortcomings and further needs will be addressed in subsequent development.
Finnish Office for Health Techology Assessment (FINOHTA),National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
Kristian
K
Lampe
Finnish Office for Health Techology Assessment (FINOHTA),National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and Summaryx Ltd.
Iris
I
Pasternack
Finnish Office for Health Techology Assessment (FINOHTA),National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
Oskari
O
Saarekas
Finnish Office for Health Techology Assessment (FINOHTA),National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
Leena
L
Raustia
Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre (KCE) and Hasselt University.
Irina
I
Cleemput
Innovazione,sperimentazione e sviluppo,Agenzia Nazionale per i Servizi Sanitari Regionali (Agenas).
Mirella
M
Corio
Team HTA,Department for Evidence Based Economic Health Care,Main association of Austrian Social Insurance Institutions (HVB).
Gottfried
G
Endel
Norwegian Knowledge Centre for Health Services (NOKC).
Katrine
K
Frønsdal
Agencia de Evaluación de Tecnologías Sanitarias (AETS),Instituto de Salud "Carlos III"
Iñaki
I
Imaz
Dutch National Health Care Institute (ZIN).
Sarah
S
Kleijnen
EUnetHTA Secretariat,Danish Health and Medicines Authority (DHMA) and University of Southern Denmark.
Finn
F
Kristensen
Department of Health Care Quality,Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).
Alric
A
Rüther
Swedish Council on Health Technology Assessment (SBU) and Department of Learning,Informatics,Management and Ethics (LIME),Karolinska Institutet.
Sophie
S
Werkö
Innovazione,sperimentazione e sviluppo,Agenzia nazionale per i servizi sanitari regionali (Agenas).
Marina
M
Cerbo
D016208:Databases, Factual; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods*; D007391:International Cooperation; D020407:Internet; D017146:Models, Organizational; D016730:Program Development; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical / Q000458:organization & administration*
research design