Summary of Evaluación de tecnologías sanitarias en Colombia

00:00:00 - 00:55:00

In this YouTube video titled "Evaluación de tecnologías sanitarias en Colombia," the speaker discusses the study titled "Evaluation of Health Technologies in Colombia: Strengths and Challenges." The study aims to analyze the performance of the Institute of Health Technology Assessment and suggest improvements. The video highlights four major challenges faced by the institute, including funding, communication, stakeholder participation, and transparency. The speaker emphasizes the importance of evaluating health technologies for efficient resource allocation and the institute's role in recommending the best technologies for government healthcare coverage. The study provides recommendations for institutional strengthening and highlights the need for collaboration and continuous improvement in the healthcare sector.

• 00:00:00 In this section of the video, the speaker introduces the study titled "Evaluation of Health Technologies in Colombia: Strengths and Challenges." The purpose of the study is to analyze the performance of the Institute of Health Technology Assessment and propose guidelines for its improvement. The Institute has been conducting research on various health-related topics and aims to identify the unforeseen consequences and challenges in order to propose effective solutions. The speaker acknowledges the complexity of the healthcare sector and the limited resources, but emphasizes the importance of evaluating health technologies for efficient resource allocation. The Institute has been providing useful information to decision-makers since 2011, and the study focuses on the institute's role in recommending the best health technologies for coverage by the government's healthcare payment system.
• 00:05:00 In this section, the researchers discuss four major challenges that the Instituto de Evaluación de Tecnologías en Salud (IETS) in Colombia faces in its quest for institutional strengthening. They emphasize that these challenges should be addressed to consolidate IETS as a key player in the healthcare system. While this study focuses on four specific challenges, it also acknowledges that there are other pending issues that should be explored further. The researchers urge multiple sectors, including IETS itself, to continue this important work of institutional development and delve deeper into the processes and institutional framework. The study aims to provide a roadmap for a continuous improvement process that can address the identified issues and strengthen the institution. The researchers express their gratitude for the collaboration with ICP and emphasize the importance of IETS as a key entity in providing evidence for decision-making and developing public policies in Colombia's healthcare sector.
• 00:10:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of evaluating health technologies in Colombia and highlights the role of the Institute of Health Technology Assessment in providing necessary information for Colombians to access effective and efficient technologies that guarantee the right to universal health. The objective of the study was to identify the challenges and strengths of the institute and propose guidelines for improvement. The speaker explains that the institute was created in 2011 and operates as a non-profit research agency, producing evidence-based information to support decision-making. The four main challenges identified for the institute include funding, communication, participation of stakeholders, and transparency. The issue of funding is particularly critical as the lack of sustainability directly impacts the institute's performance. The speaker notes that the institute currently lacks sufficient funding due to its mixed nature and a lack of political will, despite the government's responsibility to allocate budget for its operation.
• 00:15:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the financial challenges faced by the health technology assessment institute in Colombia. They highlight that since 2014, the institute has been operating at a deficit and struggling to secure funding. Despite the director claiming that the financial situation has improved, the institute still heavily relies on project-based funding, particularly from the public sector. This dependence poses challenges, as they have to comply with formal and informal rules and regulations, potentially hindering their ability to contract with the private sector. The lack of financial sustainability leads to a loss of capacity and slower response times, which could result in missed opportunities and the ministry seeking evaluations from alternative sources. Overall, the uncertainty surrounding funding jeopardizes the institute's role in evaluating health technologies.
• 00:20:00 In this section, the speaker discusses two key challenges in the evaluation of health technologies in Colombia. Firstly, there is a deviation from the institute's mission and objectives due to the constant search for funding, which may lead to projects that do not align with the institute's overall mission. Secondly, there is a need for improved communication and engagement with stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, patients, and the general public. The speaker highlights issues such as outdated websites, lack of a communication strategy, and underutilization of social media platforms. The analysis reveals a low percentage of tweets related to technology evaluations, indicating a missed opportunity for strategic engagement with the public. There is also a lack of content on professional platforms like LinkedIn, which could be utilized for sharing job opportunities and connecting with highly qualified individuals. Lastly, the lack of updated content on YouTube suggests a need for more active and informative video material.
• 00:25:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the lack of accessible and updated educational content regarding health technology assessment and other related topics. They point out that the Institute does not provide video versions of their webinars or clear explanations of what technology evaluation or health technologies are. They also highlight the outdated information on the Institute's website, including the organizational structure and publication of completed studies. Furthermore, they criticize the inability to access tools and documents that are supposed to be available, such as evidence sheets, clinical practice guidelines, and budget impact tools. The speaker suggests that these issues with the website and communication affect the image and positioning of the Institute and hinder the dissemination of valuable information to stakeholders and the general public. The lack of transparency and delays in providing feedback on manuals and guidelines are also mentioned as challenges that need to be addressed.
• 00:30:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the challenges they faced in obtaining complete and up-to-date information about health technologies in Colombia. They emphasize the importance of easy access to information in these institutions, which serve a general public interest. To address these challenges, they studied the healthcare evaluation institutes of Argentina (IECS) and the United Kingdom (NICE), as both have different funding models and played a role in their respective institute's foundation. The IECS is privately funded through technical cooperation agreements and research and education subsidies, while NICE is publicly funded but can acquire resources from industry and private sources. The speaker also highlights the communication strategies of these institutes, including up-to-date websites, active participation in debates, and annual publications of their research. They also discuss the involvement of actors in decision-making processes, such as public participation mechanisms. Based on these findings, the speaker proposes recommendations to improve the Institute for Health Technology Assessment in Colombia, acknowledging its crucial role in determining the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of technologies and ensuring universal access to healthcare.
• 00:35:00 In this section, the proposal suggests the establishment of an endowment fund, jointly managed by a committee consisting of government, private, and public sector representatives, to ensure a sustainable financial budget for the institute. Additionally, the institute should leverage its mixed legal nature to take advantage of competitive advantages. However, before expanding its portfolio, the institute should focus on strengthening its internal institutional structure and guaranteeing stability. Furthermore, the suggestion includes opening the portfolio through early advisory councils and exploring third-party financing opportunities. Lastly, the lack of funding for the institute is highlighted as a major issue, and it is recommended that the government allocate a budget to address this. Communication is also emphasized, with the creation of a communications office and a coordinated multi-channel communication program to ensure easy access to information for citizens. Finally, promoting participation, transparency, and training opportunities for stakeholders is considered essential.
• 00:40:00 In this section, the speakers discuss the importance of transparency in evaluations and the need for easy and constant access to information. They also mention their first impressions of the study's results, highlighting the importance of strengthening the Instituto de Evaluación de Tecnologías en Salud (IETS) to make it more relevant and known within the healthcare system. They emphasize the role of IETS as an example for other countries in the region and the need to align efforts to support its development. Additionally, they discuss the issue of financing and the challenges it presents. They suggest that the focus on funding may lead to neglecting other important aspects, but also mention the possibility of industry funding for studies, as long as it is done in a clear and structured framework that doesn't compromise independence. They mention other institutions that have successfully navigated this issue and suggest exploring similar approaches for IETS.
• 00:45:00 In this section, the speakers discuss the importance of transparency and communication in the healthcare system in Colombia. They highlight the need for better communication about the role and impact of the IETS (Institute for Health Technology Assessment) to various stakeholders, including the general public, healthcare professionals, and other entities in the public sector. They also mention the value that the IETS brings to the healthcare system by providing evidence-based decision-making. Additionally, they mention the challenge of financing and suggest exploring the possibility of third-party funding for IETS evaluations, while ensuring the independence and transparency of the institute. Overall, they emphasize the need for collaboration and concerted efforts from all actors involved to address these challenges and further strengthen the IETS.
• 00:50:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the role of technology and its contribution to the healthcare system. She emphasizes on the need for effective communication and transparency in technology implementation. The Jets, Council of Citizens of Santiago, is mentioned as a tool that can promote active participation in the sector. The speaker also highlights the need for education and knowledge in this sphere and suggests that the Jets and the IES should work together to formulate recommendations to improve the healthcare system.
• 00:55:00 In this section, the speakers express their gratitude to the ICP for conducting a study that they consider to be a valuable contribution to the healthcare system in Colombia. They emphasize the importance of using the study as a starting point for discussions and actions that will strengthen the healthcare system and benefit patients. They invite others to join in these conversations and highlight the need for continuous improvement. The speakers conclude by thanking the audience and leaving the invitation open for further comments or discussions on the study.