Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-24hb2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-19T07:05:21.249Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

MENTORING A HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT INITIATIVE IN KAZAKHSTAN

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 April 2014

Sergei Muratov
Affiliation:
Canadian Society for International Health
David Hailey
Affiliation:
School of Information Systems and Technology, University of Wollongong
Vicki Foerster
Affiliation:
Canadian Society for International Health
Bruce Brady
Affiliation:
Planning and Innovation Division, Ministry of Health
Don Juzwishin
Affiliation:
Health Technology Assessment and Innovation, Alberta Health Services
Philip la Fleur
Affiliation:
Evidence Based Medicine Research and Consulting Corp
Jessie McGowan
Affiliation:
Canadian Society for International Health

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assist in the development of a health technology assessment (HTA) program for the Ministry of Health (MOH) of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Methods: Mentoring of an initial HTA program in Kazakhstan was provided by the Canadian Society for International Health (CSIH) by means of a partnership with the Kazakhstan MOH. HTA materials, courses, and one-on-one support for the preparation of a series of initial HTA reports by MOH HTA staff were provided by a seven-member CSIH team over a 2.5-year project.

Results: Guidance documents on HTA and institutional strengthening were prepared in response to an extensive set of deliverables developed by the MOH and the World Bank. Introductory and train-the-trainer workshops in HTA and economic evaluation were provided for MOH staff members, experts from Kazakhstan research institutes and physicians. Five short HTA reports were successfully developed by staff in the Ministry's HTA Unit with assistance from the CSIH team. Challenges that may be relevant to other emerging HTA programs included lack of familiarity with some essential underlying concepts, organization culture, and limited time for MOH staff to do HTA work.

Conclusions: The project helped to define the need for HTA and mentored MOH staff in taking the first steps to establish a program to support health policy decision making in Kazakhstan. This experience offers practical lessons for other emerging HTA programs, although these should be tailored to the specific context.

Type
Methods
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Rechel, B, Roberts, B, Richardson, E, et al. Health and health systems in the Commonwealth of Independent States. Lancet. 2013;381:11451155.Google Scholar
2. Katsaga, A, Kulzhanov, M, Karanikolos, M, Rechel, B. Kazakhstan: Health system review. Health Syst Transit. 2012;14:1154.Google ScholarPubMed
3. Hailey, D. Toward transparency in health technology assessment. Int J Technol Assess Health Care. 2003;19:17.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4. Garrido, MC, Kristensen, FB, Nielsen, CP, Busse, R. Health technology assessment and health policy-making in Europe: Current status, challenges and potential. Observatory Studies Series No: 14. WHO, 2008. http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/90426/E91922.pdf (accessed May 26, 2013).Google Scholar
5. International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment. INAHTA - Framework for reporting on impact of HTA reports. http://www.inahta.org/upload/HTA_resources/INAHTA_Impact_framework_form.doc (accessed June 12, 2013).Google Scholar
6. Kosherbayeva, L, Tabarov, A, Gizatullina, A. Results of the cascade training HTA from participants. Abstract P2.28, Abstract Book, Health Technology Assessment international 2013. http://www.htai2013.org/download/HTAi2013_Abstracts_ebook.pdf (accessed July 21, 2013).Google Scholar