OBJECTIVES : To evaluate unmet needs and key considerations for plain language summaries (PLS) to support patient involvement in health technology assessment (HTA) and health economics and outcomes research (HEOR), and promote shared value. PLS are brief ‘text plus visuals’ summaries of publications and other technical information for non-technical audiences, in particular patients.

METHODS : We conducted a rapid evidence assessment (REA) in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines to identify literature (January 2015-March 2020, English language) on patient involvement in HTA/HEOR. We also interviewed patient experts who had participated in HTA (n=4; Canada, Italy, UK, US) and health economist advisors to HTA (n=2; UK, US/Canada). We developed an example PLS for participants to review and consider key PLS criteria.

RESULTS : We identified 62 publications to include in the REA. The majority (50; 80.6%) evaluated the role of patients in HTA, while 12 (19.4%) focused on patient involvement in HEOR studies. Across the identified publications, patient involvement in HTA/HEOR was considered important; however, significant challenges were identified, including communicating the purpose of HTA/HEOR, methodologies, and technical data to patient partners. Patient and health economist interview participants strongly supported patient involvement in HTA/HEOR, but highlighted similar challenges. Both the REA and interviews indicated that consistent use of PLS could help to facilitate patient contributions to HTA/HEOR, by addressing communication challenges and creating equity with respect to other stakeholders. In addition to patient accessible language, using infographics and interpreting study data from the patient perspective were noted as important considerations for PLS.

CONCLUSIONS : Our REA and interviews indicate a need for consistent use of PLS to support patient involvement in HTA/HEOR. Further research is required to develop and test an HTA/HEOR PLS toolkit and identify approaches to better integrate PLS within HTA and HEOR frameworks.