11.E. Round table: Evaluating the value of digital health technologies: experiences and new developments

Abstract   Digital health technologies (DHTs) are a broad and heterogenous group of technologies based on electronic components and information and communication systems. They include mobile devices, telehealth, but also artificial intelligence tool based on computer systems and big data. The increasing availability of DHTs is influencing health systems workflows and delivery. To inform decision-making and foster high-quality health systems, health technologies must be evaluated in respect to their value. To achieve this goal, transparent and standardized methods need to be adopted. Health Technology Assessment (HTA) represents the most suitable tool also considering the long-lasting history of HTA collaboration in Europe. Indeed, HTA bodies across Europe have started adapting the HTA methods to the evaluation of DHT considering mostly the EUnetHTA core model as basis. The latter is a very well-known framework used to standardize the development of HTA that consider nine domains. The need for adaption finds its foundation in the specificities of DHTs, such as, among the others, technological features, safety issues, possibility of interaction with the user. Several instruments for the assessment of DHT have developed to support decisions in specific health care settings. One of these models is the Digi-HTA that has been developed in Finland and consider effectiveness, safety, costs, security and protection, usability and accessibility. In order to have a more comprehensive framework that can be applied in every health care setting and for all DHTs, a research and innovation project was funded under the Horizon Europe. The European Digital Health Technology Assessment (EDiHTA) project is meant to achieve this goal considering different DHTs, their readiness, and stakeholders’ perspective. This panel session would like to showcase the specificities of the assessment of DHTs and present the work that is being conducted in the EDiHTA project through two regular presentations that will be followed by a guided discussion on opportunities and criticism of the assessment of DHTs. Key messages • The assessment of digital health technologies is challenging because of their diversity in intended purpose but also their technological features. • New model and framework allow to consider digital health technologies specificities supporting the decision-making.