OBJECTIVES : Inclusion of patient input in value and health technology assessment (V/HTA) processes is growing and evolving. However, it is unclear how solicitation and implementation of patient input is taking place across various V/HTA organizations worldwide. As healthcare globally shifts towards a patient-centered system, identifying and benchmarking current practices in V/HTA patient engagement could help to enhance improvement those practices. Our objective was to evaluate V/HTA organizations’ requirements for and use of patient input, comparing practices across U.S. value assessment organizations and ex-U.S. health technology assessment bodies.

METHODS : Methods documents from 11 V/HTA organizations were screened and systematically abstracted for mentions of or requirements for patient involvement and/or input. Two reviewers evaluated each document and a third reviewer acted as tie-breaker when needed. Up to three 2018 reports for each organization were reviewed to assess actual elicitation or use of patient input and corroboration with methods documentation.

RESULTS : Of 7 U.S. organizations evaluated, 2 stated patient stakeholder input was accepted and 1 provided details in a report on methods used to solicit patient input. All 4 ex-U.S. organizations stated input from patient stakeholders was accepted; however, the methods for solicitation of input were often not clear in reports. Use of patient input in V/HTA reports varied across organizations. While ICER and CADTH report using patient input to inform economic model inputs, whereas IQWIG utilizes patient input to assist with specification of patient-relevant outcomes and subgroups in the early phases of an assessment.

CONCLUSIONS : It appears that, in general, U.S. value assessment organizations are lagging behind their HTA counterparts in Canada and Europe in soliciting and incorporating patient input. Good practice in V/HTA patient engagement should be identified and shared among V/HTA organizations.