PP31 Patient And Citizen Involvement In Decision-Making About Health Technologies: The Case Of Button Feeding Tubes In Brazil

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Theodore

Patient and citizen perspectives underpin health technology assessments (HTA) by ensuring transparency and alignment with societal needs. This qualitative review examined contributions to Brazil’s 2021 public consultation on the recommendation of button feeding tubes for the Unified Health System (SUS). Across 425 stakeholder inputs, public opinion strongly supported the recommendation, emphasizing benefits over long gastrostomy tubes, reduced complications, cost effectiveness, and improved quality of life, while reinforcing dignity and social inclusion.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Patient and citizen involvement as HTA cornerstone

Methods

Qualitative review of 2021 public consultation contributions

Results

Stakeholder support and stated advantages

Conclusions

Impact on transparent, equitable HTA decision-making

PP31 Patient And Citizen Involvement In Decision-Making About Health Technologies: The Case Of Button Feeding Tubes In Brazil Milene Rangel da Costa ([milener.costa@gmail.com](milener.costa@gmail.com)), Bruno Barros, Quenia Cristina Dias Morais, Marisa Santos and Andressa Braga Introduction: Patient and citizen perspectives are a cornerstone of health technology assessments (HTA), ensuring transparency and alignment with societal needs. This study examined the role of public opinion on the evaluation of button feeding tubes for recommendation in Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS) . The objective was to assess how public opinion shaped the final recommendation ensuring equitable access to this technology. Methods: This was a qualitative review of the contributions received by the Brazilian Ministry of Health during the public consultation process about button feeding tubes in 2021 . Data sources included contributions from various stakeholders, which were analyzed for their alignment with the preliminary recommendation and their impact on the final deliberation. Results: A total of 425 contributions from patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and industry representatives were analyzed. All of them supported the recommendation of button feeding tubes for pediatric patients in need of long-term enteral nutrition. Overall, they highlighted the advantages ofthe technology compared to long gastrostomy tubes such as reduced complications, cost effectiveness, ease of use, and improved quality of life. Their impact on patient dignity and social inclusion was also mentioned. Transparent communication throughout the process fostered trust and encouraged meaningful participation. Stakeholder input significantly influenced decision-making, particularly in prioritizing equitable access and designing implementation strategies. Conclusions: Patient and citizen involvement proved crucial to the unanimous agreement to recommend the inclusion of button feeding tubes in the SUS. Their perspective on the technology’s potential to improve patient care and resource allocation was an important component to decision-making. This case highlighted the value of public engagement in fostering transparent and equitable HTA processes. PP32 Ultra-Fast Health Technology Assessments: A Descriptive Analysis Of Practices In A Latin American Agency Carla Colaci, Verónica Alfie, Sebastian Garcia Marti, Federico Augustovski, Andres Pichon Riviere and Andrea Alcaraz ([aalcaraz@iecs.org.ar](aalcaraz@iecs.org.ar)) Introduction: Health technology assessments (HTAs) are essential for evidence-informed decision-making. In urgent clinical scenarios, ultra-rapid HTAs provide concise evaluations to guide patientspecific decisions in 72 hours. The Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS), with over 20 years of experience in HTA, has played a key role in delivering these rapid assessments to support efficient healthcare decisions in Argentina. Methods: A descriptive analysis was conducted using the registry of ultra-rapid HTA reports produced by the IECS from April 2012 to August 2024 . Two independent researchers extracted data from the historical database where the data on requests are stored. The database contains information about the requesters, type of technology, pathology, request dates, and delivery dates. The researchers categorized the information by type of technology (drugs, devices, procedures, diagnostics), therapeutic area (surgery, cardiovascular, infections, neurology, endocrinology, metabolic disorders, etc.), disease type (rare or not), and the requester of the report. The data were analyzed quantitatively. Results: Over 12 years, IECS produced 544 ultra-rapid HTA reports. The most requested therapeutic areas were oncology (n=124; 23%), neurology (n=94; 17%), musculoskeletal (n=45; 8%), other (n=39; 7%), and ophthalmology (n=31; 6%) . Evaluated technologies primarily included drugs (n=255; 47%), followe

FAQs

What was the study’s main objective in Brazil’s SUS context?

To assess how public opinion shaped the final recommendation for button feeding tubes, ensuring equitable access within Brazil’s Unified Health System.

How were stakeholder inputs collected and analyzed?

The study conducted a qualitative review of contributions received by the Brazilian Ministry of Health during the 2021 public consultation and analyzed them for alignment with the preliminary recommendation and impact on final deliberation.

What benefits did stakeholders associate with button feeding tubes?

Stakeholders highlighted reduced complications, cost effectiveness, ease of use, and improved quality of life compared with long gastrostomy tubes, along with effects on patient dignity and social inclusion.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Theodore