OBJECTIVES: Health technology assessment (HTA) is crucial for the effective functioning of healthcare systems. Its importance increases in resource constrained settings found in the low and middle income countries (LMICs). Due to the sociopolitical context, use and implementation of health technology assessment within those environments face specific problems less prevalent in high income countries, such as lack of local data and not sufficient human resources. In order to tackle the problems a number of tools, frameworks and guidelines were developed to systematize the process, allowing for its performance in the appropriate manner taking the resources and barriers into consideration. The objective of this research is to identify and compare the HTA tools suitable for low and middle income countries.

METHODS: The relevant tools and frameworks were identified by the literature search in MEDLINE and Embase databases. The search strategy was composed of two blocks: one encompassing LMICs and the second block capturing HTA terms. The theoretical comparison of the identified tools is exemplified by the narrative comparison of how the assessment process changes while using each methodology alongside with identifying enablers and barriers to performing HTA using each of them.

RESULTS: Two main themes of tools that were identified included adaptation of the general or previously performed assessment (eg. WHO CHOICE) and performing the assessment de novo (eg. KNOW ESSENTIALS). Within the given categories the frameworks were assessed per the level of complexity and resources required.

CONCLUSIONS: The clear comparison of the tools and methodologies can facilitate appropriate choice of the tool taking into account the values, availability of information, resources and level of complexity.