OP78 A Consumer-Led, Co-Designed Process For Enhanced Consumer Engagement In The Australian Health Technology Assessment System - OP78 - introduction

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Noah

A five-year strategic agreement between the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care and Medicines Australia aims to create an earlier, consumer-led, co-designed approach to enhance engagement in the Australian health technology assessment (HTA) system. The process was developed with a consumer reference group, using a co-design working group weighted toward consumers and a consumer-peer selection panel, guided by an independent facilitator, consultation outputs, and solution-focused draft recommendations. The resulting Enhance HTA report sets a consumer engagement vision and 10 recommendations for partnerships, transparency, and evidence and input.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

OP78 A Consumer-Led, Co-Designed Process For Enhanced Consumer Engagement In The Australian Health Technology Assessment System Jo Watson, Liz Marshall, Rebecca Pitman, Sharon Winton and Alicia Segrave ([alicia.segrave@health.gov.au](alicia.segrave@health.gov.au)) Introduction: The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care (Department) and Medicines Australia (the peak body for the pharmaceutical industry in Australia) have entered into a five-year strategic agreement. A core objective ofthis agreement was to develop a consumer-led, co-designed process to enhance consumer engagement earlier in the Australian health technology assessment (HTA) system. Methods: A co-design proposal was developed by a consumer reference group and included guidance on “consumer-led” processes such as establishing a Co-design Working Group (Group) of consumer, industry, and Department members weighted toward a greater number of consumers. Selection of consumer members was by a consumer-peer selection panel. An independent facilitator led the co-design process, founded on a work schedule and design principles developed by the Group. Recent consultation reports on consumer engagement in HTA processes guided the Group and enabled it to be“solution focused.” The Group sought open consultation on draft recommendations prior to finalizing a report of recommendations. Results: The Enhance HTA report describes recommendations for consideration by the Australian Minister for Health and Aged Care. The Group established a vision where “Australians’ diverse healthcare experiences and needs are understood, and consumer engagement is integral in HTA decision-making.” Enhance HTA includes 10recommendations related to themes ofpartnerships, transparency, and evidence and input. The report notes the need for alignment with reformative HTA policies and methods, investment in systemic change, and development of a framework to embed the proposed recommendations along the health technology pathway. The co-design process and outcomes will be discussed if accepted for presentation. Conclusions: The consumer-led, co-designed process is a strong signal of the desire to engage consumers earlier in Australian HTA processes and in a more meaningful way. The expectations are high that the recommendations emerging from this process maybe implemented to further embed consumer engagement into HTA processes, ensuring the diverse healthcare needs of Australians are integral to HTA decision-making. OP79 Experience Report: Strengthening Health Technology Assessment Through The Brazilian Coalition For Evidence Meeting Ana Carolina Nonato ([nonato.anacarolina@gmail.com](nonato.anacarolina@gmail.com)), Jessica Farias Dantas Medeiros, Maíra Barroso Pereira, Luis Phillipe Nagem Lopes, Ana Lígia Passos Meira and Luciane Lopes Introduction: Health technology assessment (HTA) events are essential for fostering collaboration among stakeholders, enhancing methodologies, and addressing challenges in evidence integration. These events are particularly valuable for HTA centers (HTACs), which play a crucial role in evidence-informed policymaking in Brazil. This report highlights the experiences and outcomes of the first in-person meeting of the Brazilian Coalition for Evidence (CBE) . Methods: The CBE is a network comprising over 40 institutions dedicated to evidence-informed social interventions. The meeting was held on 8 to 9 August 2024, at the University of Sorocaba, Brazil, in conjunction with the seventh International Workshop on Rational Use of Medicines and the fourth Worknowledge in EvidenceInformed Policies. The agenda featured thematic panels on integrating evidence ecosystems and the role of qualitative evidence in HTA. The target audience included representatives from academia, public administration, civil society, HTACs, and evidence centers, fostering cross-sectoral dialogue and capacity building. Results: Approximately 100 participants attended the

FAQs

What is the purpose of the five-year strategic agreement in OP78?

It seeks to develop a consumer-led, co-designed process to enhance consumer engagement earlier in the Australian health technology assessment system.

How were consumer members selected and what guided the co-design work?

Consumer members were selected via a consumer-peer selection panel, and the process used guidance, a co-design working group, an independent facilitator, and principles and scheduling developed with the group.

What outcomes does the Enhance HTA report include?

It presents a vision for integrating diverse consumer healthcare experiences into HTA decision-making and includes 10 recommendations covering partnerships, transparency, and evidence and input.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Noah