Development of a Glossary and Taxonomy Tool for Standardizing HTA Terminology

OBJECTIVES: SUSTAIN-HTA is a Horizon Europe project aiming to enhance the expertise of the European Health Technology Assessment (HTA) workforce, thereby facilitating the adoption of innovative methodologies that address HTA agencies’ evolving needs. Given the multidisciplinary nature of HTA, rapid advancements in the field, and regional disparities, significant inconsistencies in terminology usage exist. SUSTAIN-HTA developed a comprehensive glossary and a corresponding taxonomic scheme that systematically categorises terms according to key HTA elements and related regulatory and decision-making processes. This initiative seeks to standardise terminology within the project, enhancing communication and collaboration among stakeholders.

METHODS: A targeted review of documents pertaining to HTA methods and related regulatory and decision-making processes within the EU was conducted. Sources included the European Network for HTA, the European Medicines Agency, and the Member State HTA Coordination Group reports. Terms were extracted, with definitions sourced from these documents, the HTA Glossary, other glossaries, and published literature. Extracted terms and definitions were analysed based on usage frequency and relevance to HTA practices. The final selection of terms and definitions was established through consensus among SUSTAIN-HTA members from different HTA bodies and academic groups. A taxonomic scheme was developed to classify the terms into categories related to key HTA assessment elements: Relative-effectiveness assessment, Cost-effectiveness assessment, and other HTA elements. Additional categories covered health technology types, regulatory frameworks, decision-making, pricing, and post-launch activities.

RESULTS: Version 1 of the tool comprises 374 terms, each categseorid according to the established taxonomy. A web-based version has been made available to enhance accessibility and usability.

CONCLUSIONS: Beyond internal project use, this tool provides a foundation for the standardised application of terminology, assisting the broader European HTA community in comprehending and utilising HTA reports. The tool will undergo annual updates to incorporate emerging terms and refine the taxonomic scheme, ensuring it remains current with advancements in HTA.