Decision-Making about New Health Interventions

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Decision-Making about New Health Interventions

Date of publication: May 2005

Summary
Publication availability
Publishing information
Background papers and related information

Summary
A report to the New Zealand Minister of Health detailing current decision-making processes underpinning the introduction of new health interventions and recommending ways to improve these.

This report from the National Health Committee (NHC) makes recommendations about how New Zealand can maximise benefits from new innovations in health by encouraging more robust and informed decision-making.

The report notes that the rising demand for the introduction of new devices and procedures is occurring in an environment of finite resources. As a result, health funders, planners, consumers, clinicians and managers are increasingly identifying the need for robust decisions about the introduction of those interventions, which take all stakeholders’ interests into account.

The NHC gathered information about decision-making processes through interviews with District Health Board (DHB) staff and other stakeholders. The NHC found that decisions by DHBs and the wider health sector about whether to adopt a health intervention are based on a variety of formal and informal processes in a complex environment influenced by a wide variety of factors, some of which are beyond the control of DHBs. It found many of those processes apply only to specific areas or types of interventions, are not well integrated or are easy to avoid.

It also found considerable variation in the types of evidence used to make decisions, many of them based on articles from reputable journals or clinical trials, rather than a synthesis of all available evidence and information.

The NHC identified the attributes required for facilitative decision making, enabling the timely adoption of interventions that are consistent with the goals of the health agency while acting as filter for those that are not.

The Committee believed the focus should be on having an agreed process to make the best decision, taking account of all relevant perspectives, within the time available and based on current information. It also identified the need for DHBs to work collaboratively when making decisions affecting each other.

The NHC advice on new health interventions provides a platform from which health decision makers can develop effective solutions.

Publication availability
This publication is available in Word and PDF format below:

Decision-Making about New Health Interventions (Word, 403 KB)
Decision-Making about New Health Interventions (PDF, 799 KB)

This publication is also available in hard copy. You can order a copy by emailing moh@wickliffe.co.nz or calling 04 496 2277 quoting HP number 4113. Please let us know your name, your physical address and how many copies you would like.

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Publishing information
Date of publication: May 2005

ISBN: 0-478-28504-3 (Book)
ISBN: 0-478-28505-1 (Internet)

HP: 4113

Background papers and related information
District Health Board Decision-making about New Health Interventions: A Background Paper
New Technology Assessment in New Zealand: Discussion Document

Media Release: Spotlight on new health interventions (30 May 2005)