Using MCDA as a decision aid in health technology appraisal for coverage decisions: Opportunities, challenges and unresolved questions

Abstract

Existing Health Technology Appraisal (HTA) processes almost inevitably require the consideration of multiple criteria which go beyond improvements in patient and population health. MCDA offers a way of structuring these decision processes and making them more transparent and consistent. Its use represents a way of complementing and supporting deliberative processes, rather than supplanting them. This can also assist the accountability of HTA decisions to stakeholders. MCDA has the potential to address a number of limitations of current HTA systems. However, its application in HTA requires careful consideration of a number of issues, including how the decision criteria are selected and weight..