Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2024 Jul 12;38(9):241-257.
doi: 10.1108/JHOM-01-2024-0012.

A roadmap towards implementing health technology assessment in Oman

Ibrahim Al Rashdi  1 , Sara Al Balushi  1 , Alia Al Shuaili  1 , Said Al Rashdi  1 , Nadiya Ibrahim Al Bulushi  1 , Asiya Ibrahim Al Kindi  1 , Qasem Al Salmi  2 , Hilal Al Sabti  3   4 , Nada Korra  5 , Sherif Abaza  5 , Ahmad Nader Fasseeh  5   6 , Zoltán Kaló  7   8
Affiliations

A roadmap towards implementing health technology assessment in Oman

Ibrahim Al Rashdi et al. J Health Organ Manag. .

Abstract

Purpose: Health technologies are advancing rapidly and becoming more expensive, posing a challenge for financing healthcare systems. Health technology assessment (HTA) improves the efficiency of resource allocation by facilitating evidence-informed decisions on the value of health technologies. Our study aims to create a customized HTA roadmap for Oman based on a gap analysis between the current and future status of HTA implementation.

Design/methodology/approach: We surveyed participants of an advanced HTA training program to assess the current state of HTA implementation in Oman and explore long-term goals. A list of draft recommendations was developed in areas with room for improvement. The list was then validated for its feasibility in a round table discussion with senior health policy experts to conclude on specific actions for HTA implementation.

Findings: Survey results aligned well with expert discussions. The round table discussion concluded with a phasic action plan for HTA implementation. In the short term (1-2 years), efforts will focus on building capacity through training programs. For medium-term actions (3-5 years), plans include expanding the HTA unit and introducing multiple cost-effectiveness thresholds while from 6-10 years, publishing of HTA recommendations, critical appraisal reports, and timelines is recommended.

Originality/value: Although the HTA system in Oman is still in its early stages, strong initiatives are being taken for its advancement. This structured approach ensures a comprehensive integration of HTA into the healthcare system, enhancing decision-making and promoting a sustainable, evidence-based system addressing the population's needs.

Keywords: Evidence-based health policy; HTA; Health technology assessment; Healthcare system; Oman.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Al Dhawi, A.A., West, D.J. Jr, Spinelli, R.J. and Gompf, T.A. (2007), “The challenge of sustaining health care in Oman”, The Health Care Manager, Vol. 26 No. 1, pp. 19-30, doi: 10.1097/00126450-200701000-00003. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Almomani, E., Alabbadi, I., Fasseeh, A., Al-Qutob, R., Al-Sharu, E., Hayek, N., Tarawneh, M.R. and Kaló, Z. (2021), “Implementation road map of health technology assessment in middle-income countries: the case of Jordan”, Value in Health Regional Issues, Vol. 25, pp. 126-134, doi: 10.1016/j.vhri.2021.01.003. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Alshishtawy, M.M. (2010), “Four decades of progress: evolution of the health system in Oman”, Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, Vol. 10 No. 1, pp. 12-22. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Atikeler, E.K., Fasseeh, A.N., Mantel-Teeuwisse, A.K., Çalışkan, Z., Öner, Z.G., Kızılay, H., Kalo, Z. and Goettsch, W. (2023), “Health technology assessment in Türkiye: current status and perspectives on future implementation”, Health Policy and Technology, Vol. 12 No. 1, 100701, doi: 10.1016/j.hlpt.2022.100701. - DOI
    1. Carr, D.R. and Bradshaw, S.E. (2016), “Gene therapies: the challenge of super-high-cost treatments and how to pay for them”, Regenerative Medicine, Vol. 11 No. 4, pp. 381-393, doi: 10.2217/rme-2016-0010. - DOI - PubMed