History and structure
Adelaide Health Technology Assessment (AHTA) is located within the Discipline of Public Health, School of Population Health and Clinical Practice at the University of Adelaide. It was established in 2001 to conduct evidence based applied research that primarely informs policy makers in government and non-government organizations. This research includes identifying emerging health care interventions, as well as assessing the safety, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of new and established health care interventions using "best practice" methodologies.

Mission
AHTA is dedicated to:

• Providing excellence in evidence based assessment of health care technologies and interventions for the devlopment of informed policy and decision making
• Producing high quality research on approaches to assessment
• Training and education to Australian and International practitioners of Health Technology Assessment
• Bettering the health of Australians
  

How AHTA works
AHTA conducts applied research for the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, on behalf of the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC). The health technology assessment activities for the MSAC and PBAC directly impact on government reimbursement decisions for services conducted under the Medicare Benefits Scheme and for pharmaceuticals listed under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

AHTA also conducts horizon scanning, through the National Horizon Scanning Unit, on new and emerging health technologies/procedures and writes brief appraisals of these on behalf of the Health Policy Advisory Committee on Technology (HealthPACT). Horizon scanning provides "early warning" to policy makers in the Departments of Health in Australia and New Zealand of technologies that are emerging and may impact significantly on the health system at a national and jurisdictional level. AHTA also develops and assists with the development of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines on behalf of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), among others; and also writes systematic reviews for various non-government organisations.

Dissemination activities
The public has free access to information on AHTA activities and reports via the following websites:

• Adelaide Health Technology Assessment
  www.adelaide.edu.au/ahta
• Medical Services Advisory Committee
  www.msac.gov.au
• National Horizon Scanning Unit
  www.horizonscanning.gov.au

AHTA's peer-reviewed publications have been published in journals, eg, Australian Health Review, British Journal of Surgery, Australian Journal of Rural Health, and Health Care Reports. Other methods for disseminating information on AHTA's activities include participation in national and international conferences and workshops, and contributing to the EuroScan database of new and emerging technologies.

Current projects (a selection)
Current AHTA projects assessing the safety, effectiveness, and cost effectiveness of medical procedures and technologies include:

• B-type natriuretic peptide assays in the dignosis of heart failure [MSAC assessment]
• Double-balloon electronic enteroscopy for diagnosing and treating patients with identified small bowel pathology [MSAC assessment]
• Lumbar nonfusion pasterior stabilisation devices [MSAC assessment]
• Molecular adsorbents recirculating system (MARS®) - artificial liver support device for acute liver failure [National Horizon Scanning Unit]
• Clinical practice guidelines for treating acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder [NHMRC and Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health]
• Digital mammography for breast cancer screaning, surveillance and diagnosis [MSAC assessment]

Future plans

• Consolidate activities providing Health Technology Assessment (HTA) services to governmental and non-governmental organisations
• Develop collaborative activities with international HTA and horizon scanning organizations
• Improve capacity in methodological analysis of secondary research
• Develop multidisciplinary approaches in our HTAs.