Background: As health technology assessment (HTA) in Kazakhstan seek to involve the public and patients in their activities, frameworks to guide decisions about whom to involve, through which tools, and at what stages of the HTA process it is necessary. Public and patient involvement (PPI) in HTA process could make assessments more relevant and acceptable to them. Involving them in the development of the assessment plan is also crucial to optimise their influence and impact on HTA research.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the development and outputs of a viable framework for PPI in a HTA process.The study objectives are assessment plan from the point of view of patients and other groups involved in HTA.
Methods: This study includes analysis of approaches to participation and research, as well as case studies. Also, the study include a synthesis of international practice and published literature, a dialogue with local, national and international stakeholders, and the deliberations of a Joint Committee for Quality Healthcare Services MoH.
Results: Patient Involvement in HTA enables experts in the HTA community to study these complementary ways of taking account of patients’ knowledge, experiences, needs and preferences. Choice of tools should be considered in the context of each HTA stage, goals for incorporating societal and patient perspectives into the HTA process, and relevant societal and/or patient values at stake. Our results is structured around main actionable tools: guiding principles and goals for PPI in HTA process, a flexible array of PPI strategies, and on-going evaluation of PPI to make adjustment.
Conclusions: The framework developed could be applied to design and implement strategies for PPI in HTA activities. Core elements of this framework may apply to all organisations responsible for HTA in Kazakhstan. Given the actual state of evidence, integrating patient perspective in HTA activities has the potential to improve the quality of healthcare services.