Policy sandbox approach for HTA guidance development
This method uses a collaborative, multi-stakeholder process called a 'policy sandbox' to develop best-practice guidance for assessing health technologies during public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. It brings together experts from different fields to identify challenges and co-create recommendations using real-world evidence and adaptive assessment approaches.
At a glance
Use when
Developing HTA guidance during public health emergencies, assessing rapidly evolving technologies, or when traditional evidence is limited
Avoid when
Established, stable evidence bases exist and standard HTA processes are sufficient
Inputs
Evidence from targeted literature reviews, stakeholder surveys, input from clinical and economic experts, existing HTA and clinical guidelines, real-world data sources
Outputs
Best-practice recommendations for HTA of rapidly evolving technologies, including use of alternative evidence, living HTA frameworks, and multi-stakeholder engagement strategies
How it works
The policy sandbox approach involves a structured, multi-stakeholder workshop supported by targeted reviews, surveys, and systematic reviews to develop HTA guidance for rapidly evolving health technologies. It integrates input from HTA agencies, clinicians, patients, academics, industry, and payers, and is informed by analysis of existing methods, clinical guidelines, and economic evaluations. The approach supports the development of living HTA frameworks and early engagement strategies with regulators and payers.
- Project
- HTx
- Funding
- Horizon 2020
- Project status
- Completed 2024
- HTA domains
- Clinical Effectiveness, Costs & Economic Evaluation, Organisational aspects
- Assumptions
- Stakeholder collaboration improves guidance quality; timely HTA is needed during health crises; traditional evidence standards may not be feasible; adaptive processes enhance decision-making
- Strengths
- Facilitates rapid development of consensus-based guidance,Incorporates diverse stakeholder perspectives,Supports use of real-world and emerging evidence,Enables adaptive and iterative assessment processes
- Limitations
- May require significant coordination across stakeholders,Outcomes depend on participant expertise and representation,Not a substitute for robust primary evidence,Context-specific applicability may vary across HTA systems
- Also known as
- Policy sandbox, HTx policy sandbox approach
Questions this answers
- › How can HTA agencies develop timely and relevant guidance during public health emergencies?
- › What alternative evidence sources should be considered when RCTs are lacking?
- › How can HTA processes adapt to rapidly evolving scientific knowledge and disease understanding?
- › What role can real-world evidence play in assessing diagnostics and treatments for emerging diseases?
- › How can stakeholder engagement improve the robustness and acceptance of HTA guidance?
- › What collaborative models support the development of 'living' health technology assessments?
References & sources
Related methods
Similar by meaning
- Key Principles for the Improved Conduct of Health Technology Assessments for Resource Allocation Decisions
- Designing and Implementing Deliberative Processes for HTA: A Good Practices Report of a Joint HTAi/ISPOR Task Force
- Principles for Deliberative Processes in HTA
- Bayesian Methods in HTA
- PUBLIC AND PATIENT INVOLVEMENT IN HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT: A FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION
Beta record. Generated from the primary source via AI extraction and independent audit, pending final human review.