Digi-HTA: adding value to digital health services assessment

Digi-HTA provides a systematic framework for assessing digital health services in different areas of healthcare. The aim is to evaluate and demonstrate the suitability of digital health services through scientific evidence. In addition, the objective is to facilitate healthcare decision making in terms of digital health services. Companies can also use the digital assessment tool for self-evaluation and value demonstration of their own digital services and products, as well as their development.

The digi-HTA process and criteria were developed in 2019 on behalf of the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The Faculty of Medicine of the University of Oulu and the national HTA coordination unit FinCCHTA created the assessment process. Digi-HTA is used to evaluate the suitability of a product or service in terms of effectiveness, security, cost, data security and data protection, usability, and accessibility. Digi-HTA is suitable for both medical and non-medical services and products. The assessment supplements the CE marking of medical devices, which indicates conformity with health, safety, and environmental protection standards for products sold within the EEA.

Finally, FinCCHTA will make an objective digi-HTA recommendation on the digital health product or service. All recommendations are published on the FinCCHTA website and a recommendation is usually valid for three years. Digi-HTA is becoming an established national process for digital health services in Finland and it can recommend the use of health technologies. The process is illustrated in the picture below.