Conversations for Change Report
The Office of Health Technology Assessment’s (Office of HTA) Consumer Evidence and Engagement Unit (CEEU) conducted the Conversations for Change consultations during September 2022 to March 2023.
The consultation was developed to inform future ways of supporting consumers and consumer organisations engaging with HTA processes.
What we did?
We asked WHAT, WHEN and HOW consumer views and experiences can best be provided during HTA processes.
A series of consultation activities were held: an online survey, a workshop at the 2022 HTA Consumer Symposium and multiple virtual community conversations with various stakeholder groups and individuals. In total, 133 responses were received over the series.
Responses were analysed and presented in subsequent activities, enabling increasingly deeper considerations of the emerging needs and suggestions.
Findings
Findings were grouped into five themes and the key points and highlighted challenges were summarised.
There was some overlap of key points between the themes, illustrating their interdependence.
A graphic ‘jigsaw’ representation was developed to illustrate the connection between the themes.
What you told us
Being 'equal partners' with other stakeholders in the HTA process is the main aspirational 'end goal' for consumers. Reaching this goal depends on four other related outcomes also being achieved, as shown below.
Informed and engaged
A baseline awareness of HTA processes, what these are for and a desire to engage with these, achieved through open communication and transparency.
Supported and knowledgeable
Consumers have a developed understanding of how HTA works and how they can be involved in it, with guidance and support from the CEEU and other stakeholders.
Included in HTA processes and methods
Consumers’ input and participation are acknowledged and embedded into HTA processes i.e. via documentation of what/when/how consumers are included.
Actively participating
With the above three elements, consumers are better equipped to actively participate in HTA processes, being informed and engaged, supported and knowledgeable.
Equal partners
Over time, the embedding of consumers in the process and their active participation evolves into equal partners with other stakeholders. It is more than consultation or engagement, consumers are as much a part of the process as, for example, industry.
