Health technology evaluation processes - such as health technology assessment (HTA) - are used to inform decision-makers and payers about the comparative value of treatments. The parameters used to make these decisions typically focus on patient and population outcomes and healthcare costs, such as cost-effectiveness or budget impact. Standard HTAs generally do not address healthcare system capacity (e.g., burdened workforce and facilities and their impacts on access and outcomes) and as such may over- or under-estimate the potential value of an intervention. In reality, capacity constraints can limit the implementation of health technologies in clinical practice and treatment delays may lead to worsened health outcomes for patients. This is becoming an increasing problem given the growing demands on healthcare systems from ageing populations and mounting chronic diseases. Accounting for capacity constraints in HTAs will better reflect the true value of novel interventions in real-world healthcare systems.

In the context of ophthalmology, there are several treatments available that reduce the burden on healthcare systems, such as through reducing the number of clinic visits and medical interventions. HTA economic models typically recognise such dimensions of value only as cost offsets; subsequent effects of releasing health system capacity and reducing the strain on overburdened health systems are not captured; neither are associated improvements in patient access and outcomes.

This panel will discuss how, through the ophthalmology lens, value assessment processes can optimise resource allocation and enhance the sustainability of healthcare systems, shaping system value.

Sponsor: Roche