NOKC, Norway

Context applies to the local setting in which the output of the HTA-process should apply, and may be viewed as the brokering of science into decision-making processes. In this process issues to consider are the facilitators or restrictions for applying the HTA-conclusions into the local setting. These issues are financial restrictions/facilitators, organisational issues such as hospital structure, education, speciality services, legal issues such as patients access to treatment.

Clinical efficacy may be influenced by the context (trial setting). This may be especially important when assessing surgical procedures, but other contextual factors such as organisational issues, socio-demographic issues may influence the overall measured effect.