Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41646016›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of technology assessment in health care2026

Characteristics of published mini and rapid health technology assessments reports: a cross-sectional analysis.

Sharon McLaughlin, Aanisa Abeer, Melissa K Sharp, Kieran A Walsh, Cassandra Nemzoff, Sheilagh Foley, Ed Clifton, Michelle Flood, Susan Spillane, Patricia Harrington and 5 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of technology assessment in health care, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Sharon McLaughlinDepartment of Public Health & Epidemiology, School of Population Health, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Ireland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0787-3434
Aanisa AbeerDepartment of Public Health & Epidemiology, School of Population Health, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Ireland.
Melissa K SharpDepartment of Public Health & Epidemiology, School of Population Health, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Ireland.
Kieran A WalshHealth Information and Quality Authority, Ireland.
Cassandra NemzoffDepartment of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2735-0644
Sheilagh FoleyPublic and Patient Representative, Ireland.
Ed CliftonScottish Health Technologies Group, UK.
Michelle FloodSchool of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Ireland.
Susan SpillaneHealth Information and Quality Authority, Ireland.
Patricia HarringtonHealth Information and Quality Authority, Ireland.
Conor TeljeurHealth Information and Quality Authority, Ireland.
Michelle O'NeillHealth Information and Quality Authority, Ireland.
Susan M SmithDiscipline of Public Health and Primary Care, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
Máirín RyanHealth Information and Quality Authority, Ireland.
Barbara ClyneDepartment of Public Health & Epidemiology, School of Population Health, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Ireland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesWhile rapid health technology assessments (HTA) are important for decision makers, there is no universally accepted definition or standardized methods. The objective of this study was to analyze the content and conduct of published rapid and mini-HTA reports.

methodsWe conducted a cross-sectional analysis of rapid and mini-HTA reports identified from the International HTA Database (2014-April 2024) and supplementary searches of HTA agency websites. We extracted descriptive data on rapid HTA products; specifically, which traditional HTA domains were included or omitted, evidence synthesis methods, and approaches to interest-holder (formerly known as stakeholder) engagement. Data analysis was conducted in Stata.

resultsWe included 203 rapid HTA reports. Most frequently included HTA domains were clinical effectiveness (99 percent) and safety (82.3 percent). Legal aspects (12.3 percent) and budget impact analyses (10.8 percent) were less frequently reported. Across reports reviewing clinical effectiveness (n = 201), generic literature searches were the most predominantly self-reported evidence synthesis method (37.8 percent), with updates (1.5 percent) and overviews (2 percent) of systematic reviews less common. Cost-utility analyses were the most commonly self-reported form of economic evaluation (36.2 percent). Additionally, public consultations (68 percent) were the most commonly reported ways to engage with interest holders.

conclusionOur analysis highlights variations across rapid HTA reports and will contribute to wider research aiming to establish a clearer definition and framework of rapid HTAs and inform when and how rapid HTAs are performed. Clearer reporting and justification of simplifications in rapid HTA reports are needed.

Indexed as

Technology Assessment, BiomedicalCost-Benefit AnalysisCost-Effectiveness AnalysisCross-Sectional StudiesHumanseconomic evaluationhealth economicshealth technology assessmentHTA domainsminirapid

Identifiers

PMID41646016
PMCPMC12964152

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.