Patients and Healthcare Professionals Participation in Health Technology Assessment

Background This chapter explores the vital role of patients and healthcare experts in Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and advocates for a Paraconsistent Expert-Based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis approach. Methods: Examining expertise in Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) and HTA, the chapter introduces the concept of “expert-based participation” and stresses collaborative methodologies with experts and HTA organizations. Results: The Paraconsistent Annotated Evidential Logic Eτ serves as the basis for a Paraconsistent Expert System applied to HTA. The Paraconsistent Value Framework study showcases the integration of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis, Logic Eτ, and an expert panel for evaluating cancer treatments in metastatic Colorectal Cancer. Discussion: Emphasizing the critical role of incorporating expert perspectives, including patients, in HTA, the chapter highlights the Paraconsistent Value Framework's methodology and its alignment with Michael Porter's notion of “Pertinence” in his value-based approach. Conclusion: Patient and expert input in HTA is deemed crucial. Paraconsistent approaches, exemplified by the Paraconsistent Value Framework, offer a robust methodology, enhancing decision legitimacy, transparency, and addressing data gaps. The call for “expert-based participation” aims to collaboratively reshape methodologies, aligning with principles of public engagement practices in HTA.