Use of routine data and further relevant secondary data in HTA

Research area: HTA-methods & steering instruments

Duration: May 2011 - August 2011

Suggested by: Gesundheit Österreich GmbH
Language: German
Publication: The chapter will be published in the next version of the Austrian Methods Manual (2012). On request, Dr. Ingrid Zechmeister provides more detailed information.

Background:
In addition to data from clinical studies on the efficacy of a technology, Health Technology Assessment
often requires routine data (e.g. administrative data) and data that are derived from other sources than classical research (e.g. registries). Identification and use of such data has not been addressed in HTA manuals so far.

Aims of project:
This project aims at writing a chapter in the Austrian HTA manual on the use of routine databases and further secondary data sources (e.g. registries) in the context of HTA. The chapter will cover methodological issues and it will additionally present an overview of Austrian data sources including information on their access and their characteristics.

Research questions:

• When during the process of doing HTA are secondary data useful and when are they required? 
• How can these data be classified?
• Which type of routine data and further useful secondary data exist in Austria?
• What kind of methodological standards exist for using those data?

Methods:

• Literature search for definitions, classification and methodological standards for using secondary data within HTA
• Search for Austrian data sources based on ‘snow-ball sampling’ (addressing representatives from administration, researchers…)
• Guest authorship for the description of selected data sources (‘keepers’ of the data)
• External review by a methodological specialist and by ‘keepers’ of the data

Time schedule/ milestones:
5/2011: literature search, search for data sources
6-7/2011: classification and description of Austrian data sources 
8/2011: finishing chapter with selected case studies