DIMDI - Preparation of HTA reports

Preparation of HTA reports

HTA reports are prepared in multiple work steps that are built on one another:

1. Systematic literature search
2. Literature report
3. Interim report
4. Final report (preliminary)
5. Final report (revised)
6. Publication

The DAHTA supports and coordinates the preparation of the individual work steps up to the final HTA report. Ideally, this process takes one year. As a rule, every step is evaluated by two external and one internal experts. External opinions are provided by competent specialists who are familiar with the report topic (e.g. from specialist associations or universities). The evaluation process is anonymous, that is, the author groups do not know the reviewers and vice versa.

1. Systematic literature search

This forms the basis for the HTA reports. To this end, the author group determines a search strategy with the relevant keywords together with various persons. The actual research in scientific databases with reference to HTA is then performed by DAHTA or on contract to external service providers. Manual research must be performed as well as needed (e.g. in the reference list of the literature found).

2. Literature report

The literature report documents the literature research (search terms and research strategy). The research results can also be found here: The health policy background and the scientific questions on the topic are present in the draft. Criteria for inclusion and for exclusion are determined, as well as the criteria for the evaluation in the sources found in the research. Where insufficient literature is available, questionnaires or models can help (e.g. Markov model).

3. Interim report

This report contains the health policy background and the scientific background to the topic. Precise research questions on aspects relating to health policy, health economics, ethics, social and legal issues can be derived from this. The results are described quantitatively and qualitatively. The interim report takes into consideration the external and internal reviews of the literature report.

4. Final report (preliminary)

The structure of the final report corresponds to that of a scientific work. Aspects relating to health policy, health economics, ethics, social and legal issues are addressed. In addition to the description of the methodology and the results (quantitative and qualitative), a discussion is presented and research questions are answered. A recommendation by the author group concludes the report. The provisional final report takes into consideration the external and internal reviews of the interim report.

5. Fiinal report (revised)

The author group revises the final report while taking into consideration the internal and external reviews.

6. Publication

After the concluding internal investigation, the DAHTA publishes the completed HTA report in the DAHTA database and in the gms e-journal. The HTA reports are available at no cost. Every report includes an English summary and abstract.

• Handbook for authors for creation of HTA reports (PDF, 182 kB)
• Checklist for handbook for authors for creation of HTA reports (PDF, 450 kB)