6533b7d0fe1ef96bd125b9cb

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Health Tecnology Assessment: bisogni formativi teorici e pratici nelle Scuole di Specializzazione in Igiene e Medicina Preventiva

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Objective: The aim of our study was to perform a survey of Italian graduate students (medical doctors) attending Public Health Schools, in order to assess the importance and training needs concerning Health Technology Assessment (HTA) during their public health postgraduate education. Methods: In July 2010, we sent by e-mail a questionnaire to all graduate medical students attending Public Health Schools from four Italian Regions (representing Northern, Center and Southern Italy). The questionnaire included two sections: 1) knowledge on HTA; 2) assessment of the importance of HTA training during academic public health education. Main results: Eighty-two Public Health graduate students from every course year answered the survey (94%): the level of knowledge on HTA features (89%) and HTA field applications (93,9%) was high. Knowledge and learning degree on HTA varied widely: 15.4% of fourth-year students gave a misdescription or an incomplete HTA definition vs 10.7% of first-year students; wide heterogeneity resulted in HTA training and learning (p < 0.001): only 7.7% of fourth-year students declared that an integrated HTA course was offered vs 35.7% of those attending first-year (42.9% and 25.0% of students attending second- and third-year, respectively); a HTA teaching program was completely lacking according to 26.8% of students from all years, whilst 42.7% declared not to be informed about provision of an educational HTA program. Wide heterogeneity in HTA educational programs was shown between the four Regions (p < 0.001). 100% of responders assigned a rating of good or great importance to a structured HTA teaching during a public health course; 100% of the sample rated as ‘very important’ (59.7%) or ‘extremely important’ (40.2%) the presence of a HTA Unit for healthcare governance (ASL/Hospital). Conclusion: According to our survey results, HTA is a tool of great value. Given its huge impact in every aspect of public health and its dissemination at all political levels for decision-making, it should be integrated into public health postgraduate educational programs, consistent with the new (2 years ago) organization of postgraduate schools. Our results support HTA teachers’ efforts, as public health students express the need for HTA learning and training, being aware of the emphasis given worldwide to this issue.