RedETS decisional flowchart for meaningful patient involvement in HTA
A step-by-step guide developed by the Spanish RedETS network to help researchers decide how and when to involve patients in health technology assessments. It ensures patients are included meaningfully, either through direct participation or by using evidence about patient experiences, values, and preferences.
At a glance
Use when
Conducting HTA within the RedETS network or similar settings where structured patient involvement is required
Avoid when
Assessing technologies with no patient-facing impact or in contexts where patient involvement is not feasible or appropriate
Inputs
Health technology under assessment, identification of relevant patient organizations or expert patients
Outputs
Guidance on whether and how to involve patients, including recommendations for direct involvement and use of patient-based evidence
How it works
The RedETS decisional flowchart provides a structured approach for integrating patient involvement (PI) in HTA processes. It was developed through an iterative process involving a dedicated Interest Group and validated via an online deliberative meeting. The method outlines criteria for mandatory PI in HTA reports unless the technology has no relevant impact on patient experiences, values, or preferences. It specifies stages for patient engagement (e.g., protocol development, outcomes identification, assessment, report review) and recommends sourcing patient-based evidence via systematic review or primary research when impacts are significant.
- HTA domains
- Organisational aspects, Patient and Social Aspects
- Assumptions
- Patient involvement improves the relevance and quality of HTA; patient organizations can represent patient perspectives; patient experiences, values, and preferences are relevant to most health technologies
- Strengths
- Provides a clear, visual decision-making tool; promotes systematic and meaningful patient involvement; integrates both direct participation and evidence synthesis; developed and validated within a national HTA network
- Limitations
- May not be easily transferable to non-Spanish or non-RedETS contexts without adaptation; does not specify methods for primary patient research; limited detail on resolving conflicts between patient input and other evidence
- Also known as
- RedETS PI flowchart, Decisional flowchart for patient involvement in HTA
Questions this answers
- › When should patients be involved in an HTA?
- › Which patients or patient organizations should be involved?
- › How can patients participate in different stages of an HTA?
- › When is patient-based evidence required in an HTA?
- › How should patient involvement be structured across the HTA process?
- › What if a technology has no meaningful impact on patient experiences?
References & sources
Similar by meaning
- Patients' Perspectives in HTA: A Route to Robust Evidence and Fair Deliberation
- EUPATI Guidance for Patient Involvement in HTA
- RedETS methodological approach for real-world data in the preadoption phase
- Roadmap for Sustaining Meaningful Patient Engagement
- 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.