![]() ![]() Setting effective priorities that maximise health gains necessarily requires difficult trade-offs to be made. The key to HTA is to use the best available data while being open about its limitations and the impact on uncertainty.Įvery health system is challenged when balancing a finite budget with increasing demands on health resources. It will be critical that an overarching strategic and mandatory approach to the collection and use of health information is developed for Ghana in parallel to, and informed by, the development of HTA approaches to support resource allocation decisions. A commitment to HTA will require concerted efforts to leverage existing data sources, for example, from the NHIS, and develop and maintain new data (e.g. ![]() We support recent initiatives for the routine collection of comprehensive and reliable data that is easily accessible for HTA users. Although more data are becoming available for monitoring, challenges remain in terms of their usefulness for HTA, and some information may not be available in disaggregated form to enable specific analyses. ConclusionsĪ small number of quality data sources are available in Ghana but there are some gaps with respect to HTA based on greater use of local and contextualised information. There are some data on equity but data on quality of life are limited. The NHIS is a potentially rich source of data on resource use and costs but there are some limits on access. Few accessible data sources were available for costs and resource utilisation. Demographic Health Surveys) that have rigorous quality assurance processes. Ghana has several large data sources to support HTA (e.g. The data sources for each of the six domains vary in extent and quality. We used existing knowledge, views of stakeholders, and searches of the literature and internet. The domains were epidemiology, clinical efficacy, costs, health service use and consumption, quality of life, and equity. We identified and described data sources encompassing six main domains using an existing framework. We aimed to identify and describe the sources of accessible data to support HTA in Ghana. The Government of Ghana is committed to institutionalising HTA for priority-setting. Ghana is moving towards universal health coverage, facilitated mainly by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) established in 2003. Washington, DC: National Institute of Corrections.Evidence-based decision-making for prioritising health is assisted by health technology assessment (HTA) to integrate data on effectiveness, costs and equity to support transparent decisions. Implementing Evidence-Based Policy and Practice in Community Corrections, 2nd ed. (Source: Crime and Justice Institute at Community Resources for Justice (2009). Thus, while these three terms are often used interchangeably, EBP is more appropriate for outcome-focused human service disciplines. In contrast [to the terms "best practices" and "what works," evidence-based practice implies that 1) there is a definable outcome(s) 2) it is measurable and 3) it is defined according to practical realities (recidivism, victim satisfaction, etc.). It also involves rigorous quality assurance and evaluation to ensure that evidence-based practices are replicated with fidelity, and that new practices are evaluated to determine their effectiveness. Used originally in the health care and social science fields, evidence-based practice focuses on approaches demonstrated to be effective through empirical research rather than through anecdote or professional experience alone.Īn evidence-based approach involves an ongoing, critical review of research literature to determine what information is credible, and what policies and practices would be most effective given the best available evidence. Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the objective, balanced, and responsible use of current research and the best available data to guide policy and practice decisions, such that outcomes for consumers are improved. ![]()
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