Decision-Making on New Non-Drug Health Technologies by Hospitals and Health Authorities in Canada

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Unlike those for publicly funded drugs in Canada, coverage decision-making processes for non-drug health technologies (NDTs) are not well understood. OBJECTIVES: This paper aims to describe existing NDT decision-making processes in different healthcare organizations across Canada. METHODS: A self-administered survey was used to determine demographic and financial characteristics of organizations, followed by in-depth interviews with senior leadership of consenting organizations to understand the processes for making funding decisions on NDTs. RESULTS: Seventy-three and 48 organizations completed self-administered surveys and telephone interviews, respectively (with 45 participating in both ways). Fifty-five different processes were identified, the majority of which addressed capital equipment. Most involved multidisciplinary committees (with medical and non-medical representation), but the types of information used to inform deliberations varied. Across all processes, decision-making criteria included local considerations such as alignment with organizational priorities. CONCLUSIONS: NDT decision-making processes vary in complexity, depending on characteristics of the healthcare organization and context.