Devolving healthcare delivery to regional health authorities: is health technology assessment prepared to follow?

Abstract Since the establishment of health technology assessment units in the latter 1980s, Canada has witnessed an unprecedented transformation of the governance, management and service delivery of its healthcare system. In Alberta, this transformation culminated in the establishment of regional health authorities that provide integrated healthcare to Albertans. With the shift of responsibility for healthcare delivery from the provincial to the regional level, the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research HTA unit recognized that for health technology assessment to continue to be relevant, it must follow this change. Four steps were taken to refocus the unit's scope: a thorough analysis of the healthcare environment; face-to-face interviews with the chief executive officers of the regions; the development of a framework for HTA in the regions; and the organization of a conference on evidence-based decision making. These steps were helpful in bringing HTA to the attention of regional decision makers. A formal, analytical assessment of the regional healthcare environment, provision of general information (through the framework and conference) and individual information (through face-to-face interviews) enabled a proactive engagement with regions. However, to meet the demands and needs of a population that expects comprehensive coverage that delivers “state of the art” diagnostics and treatments, the efficacy and effectiveness of interventions can sometimes be of subordinate importance.