The emerging social science literature on health technology assessment: a narrative review

Olga Löblová, Trayan Trayanov, Marcell Csanádi, Piotr Ozieranski

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Citations (SciVal)
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Abstract

Background: Social scientists have paid increasing attention to health technology assessment (HTA). This paper provides an overview of existing social scientific literature on HTA, with a focus on sociology and political science and their subfields. Methods: Narrative review of key pieces in English. Results: Three broad themes recur in the emerging social science literature on HTA: the drivers of the establishment and concrete institutional designs of HTA bodies; the effects of institutionalized HTA on pricing and reimbursement systems and the broader society; and the social and political influences on HTA decisions. Conclusion: Social scientists bring a focus on institutions and social actors involved in HTA, using primarily small-N research designs and qualitative methods. They provide valuable critical perspectives on HTA, at times challenging its otherwise unquestioned assumptions. However, they often leave aside questions important to the HTA practitioner community, including the role of culture and values. Closer collaboration could be beneficial to tackle new relevant questions pertaining to HTA.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3-9
Number of pages7
JournalValue in Health
Volume23
Issue number1
Early online date16 Sept 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2020

Keywords

  • health technology assessment
  • narrative literature review
  • political science
  • social science
  • sociology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health Policy
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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