Enhancing understanding: the development of a glossary of health technology assessment adaptation terms

Background: The way people use health technology assessment (HTA) terms varies considerably across Europe. Such variation can lead to misunderstandings when reading HTA reports from different contexts. This work is one of the outputs of the EUnetHTA Project and was undertaken between 2006 and 2008. Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop a glossary of HTA adaptation terms to help reduce the misunderstandings of terms used in HTA reports from contexts other than the reader's own. Methods: Several HTA glossaries were examined to identify ways in which an additional glossary could offer readers something new and to identify adaptation terms for inclusion. Twenty-eight European HTA organizations provided terms for the glossary and drafted descriptions and examples of how each specific term was used in their particular setting. The organizations then commented on the descriptions provided by the other groups and worked together to draft a single description for certain terms. Results: A glossary of HTA adaptation terms was developed. It provides a comprehensive range of descriptions, examples, and comments for forty-two potentially confusing HTA terms related to adaptation. Conclusions: This glossary will be a valuable resource for European HTA agencies when reading HTA reports produced in different contexts and for adapting HTA reports produced in other countries. The glossary will help improve understanding and help facilitate the adaptation process.