How to think about “the value” of diagnostic technologies for health systems?

When decision makers evaluate medications, they usually analyze supporting clinical trials and mainly consider three factors: their effectiveness, their safety, and economic aspects such as cost-effectiveness and budgetary impact. But with diagnostic methods, from techniques to measure blood glucose or early detection of cancer to rapid COVID-19 tests, the analysis is more complex.: Direct evidence on its effect on patient health is not widely available to determine clinical value of such diverse tools and justify their inclusion in a portfolio of benefits, for example, from ministries, prepaid and social works.  

Now, a “value framework” proposal, led by IECS researchers identifies and prioritizes the 15 variables, aspects, dimensions or attributes that should be considered when evaluating diagnostic tests in the context of Latin America. This innovative tool (it is the first time that something like this has been done in Latin America) will be presented in a free webinar that will take place on April 9 at 12 noon. from Argentina.

 

  • Prof. Dr. Federico Augustovski, director of the Department of Health Technology Assessment and Health Economics of the IECS
  • Dr. Carlos Eduardo Gouvea, president of the Latin American Alliance for the Development of In Vitro Diagnostics (ALADDiV).
  • Dr. Manuel Espinoza, head of the Health Technology Assessment Unit of the Clinical Research Center of the Faculty of Medicine of the Pontificia Universidad Católica, Chile.
  • Eva María Ruiz de Castilla, founder and director of Latin American Patients Academy (LAPA).
  • Dr. Marisa Santos, member of the Euroqol International group and the National Institute of Cardiology of Brazil.
  • Dr. Santiago Torales, general supervisor of CONETEC, Ministry of Health of Argentina.

Tools to apply a Diagnostic Technologies Value Framework in decision making

The value framework is a very innovative tool (it is the first time that something like this has been done in Latin America) and seeks to have a practical anchor to the reality of the region. It aims to legitimize and make decision-making transparent when considering the inclusion or coverage of diagnostic tests for patients.

During the webinar, manuals and training resources are presented to use a value framework, a tool that identifies and prioritizes the 15 aspects that should be considered when evaluating diagnostic tests in the context of Latin America, as published in the scientific journal Value. in Health last April.

The webinar has a very practical approach to the topic; The result of the application of this value framework to a specific technology is shown. 

Exhibitor:

  • Prof. Dr. Federico Augustovski, director of the Department of Health Technology Assessment and Health Economics of the IECS