EUnetHTA Adaptation Glossary (beta)

Generalisability

‘Generalisability’ is the extension of specific research findings and conclusions from a study conducted on a (relatively limited) sample population to the population at large (for example to the whole population of the country).

In many ways, generalisability amounts to nothing more than making predictions based on a recurring experience. Having collected sufficient data to support a hypothesis, a premise regarding the behavior of that data can be formulated, making it generalisable to similar circumstances [1].

Pre-assessment

In AHTAPol pre-assessment constitutes the initial stage in the procedure of developing HTA report (that has been recently implemented by the Order of the Director of the AHTAPol of the 27th of March 2007).

Pre-assessment of health technology is a summary of information, that is relevant for making a recommendation regarding terms of funding specific technology from public sources, for example:

Protocol

Generalisability

‘Generalisability’ is the extension of specific research findings and conclusions from a study conducted on a (relatively limited) sample population to the population at large (for example to the whole population of the country).

In many ways, generalisability amounts to nothing more than making predictions based on a recurring experience. Having collected sufficient data to support a hypothesis, a premise regarding the behavior of that data can be formulated, making it generalisable to similar circumstances .

Effectiveness and Efficacy

As for Effectiveness and Efficacy, we do not think, that there can be problem with mistaking this two terms.

As “Efficacy” refers strictly to the trial setting it is difficult to even assume to what extent, the effects obtained in such “ideal” setting can be generalized outside to clinical practice, where the conditions as well as characteristics of treated population differs.

Common core HTA is best translated to “Apreciação de Tecnologia Nuclear da Saúde” or “Apreciação de Tecnologia Central da Saúde”. The first suggests more the main core of the system, whilst the second can be a little broader.

What we understand by ‘applicability’ is the application/use of the results from clinical trials (done on restricted, specially selected populations) to other groups/individual people for the use in one’s own medical practice (in other words, “usefulness of these results in own clinical practice”). A randomised trial only provides direct evidence of causality within that specific trial. As individual characteristics will affect the outcome for this person, it takes an additional logical step to apply this result to a specific individual.

Commissioning

Commissioning is sending or officially charging an individual or group to undertake certain functions or to complete certain tasks. Usually one commissions tasks that can’t be completed within one’s own sources to people more competent for the task.

Commissioning may refer to:

- report (Agency for HTA commissions academic entity to produce HTA, Minister of Health commissions producing HTA on given subject to AHTAPol);
- new research (to fill gaps in knowledge).

Planning

What we understand by ‘applicability’ is the application/use of the results from clinical trials (done on restricted, specially selected populations) to other groups/individual people for the use in one’s own medical practice (in other words, “usefulness of these results in own clinical practice”). A randomised trial only provides direct evidence of causality within that specific trial. As individual characteristics will affect the outcome for this person, it takes an additional logical step to apply this result to a specific individual.