title: [Health technology assessment agencies in the xxi century].
abstract: The origins of the health technology assessment (HTA) agencies date back to the 70s in the United States; in the European context, the current Agency for Quality and Health Assessment of Catalonia was among the pioneers in 1991. Epidemiological, social, technological and economic changes of recent years have led to the incorporation, by the agencies, of new functions, activities and projects that can offer better services (information and knowledge) to the various players in the healthcare system (patients, professionals, providers, insurers and policy-makers) in order to increase healthcare quality and preserve the sustainability of the health system.
authors.affiliation: Agència de Qualitat i Avaluació Sanitàries, Departament de Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya. Electronic address: direccio.aquas@gencat.cat.
authors.forename: Josep Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Argimon
mesh_terms: D006291:Health Policy / Q000266:history* / Q000639:trends; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D000069342:Medical Overuse / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000639:trends; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000266:history / Q000458:organization & administration; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000266:history / Q000458:organization & administration; D013030:Spain; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical / Q000266:history* / Q000458:organization & administration
keywords: Calidad asistencial; Evaluación de tecnologías médicas; Health policy; Health services research; Health technology assessment; Healthcare quality; Investigación en servicios sanitarios; Política sanitaria