title: Mapping capacity to conduct health technology assessment in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide insights into the capacity to conduct health technology assessment (HTA) in Central, Eastern, and South-Eastern Europe (CESEE), taking account of technical, financial, networking, and human resources.
  
  
  METHODS
  An e-mail survey of 257 CESEE key informants involved in HTA was undertaken between March and April 2014. Contact e-mail addresses were identified from the internet. The survey questionnaire consisted of 3 sections: i) characteristics of the organization performing HTA, (ii) networking in HTA, and (iii) resources allocated for HTA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The survey was completed by 41 respondents representing a wide range of institutions from CESEE countries (response rate of 19.8%). Less than a quarter of respondents reported that their institutions had HTA-specific budgets, whereas the majority indicated that their institutions participated in HTA networks either at domestic or international levels. Although almost half of respondents indicated that their institutions offered HTA training, a shortage in skills training was suggested as the main barrier to HTA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first survey to thoroughly assess the state of HTA capacity in the CESEE region. To strengthen HTA capacity, CESEE countries should increase financial, technical, and training resources. To strengthen collaboration, the European Union and other international bodies should assist existing HTA networks in fulfilling their regional activities through leadership, advocacy to local policymakers, funding, and technical assistance.
authors.forename: Antonio Olry
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: de Labry Lima
authors.forename: Leticia García
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Mochon
authors.forename: Araceli Caro
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: Eva Martín
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Ruiz
authors.affiliation: Jaime Espin, Escuela Andaluza de Salud Publica - Andalusian School of Public Health, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, Cuesta del Observatorio, 4, 18011 Granada. Spain, jaime.espin.easp@juntadeandalucia.es.
authors.forename: Jaime Espin
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Balbino
mesh_terms: D057191:Capacity Building; D004517:Education, Professional; D005061:Europe, Eastern; D006801:Humans; D060756:Social Networking; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*