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Australia and New Zealand Horizon Scanning Network - About Horizon Scanning


The Horizon Scanning Process


Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Internationally


Worldwide there are now more than 30 organizations geared to the assessment of Health Technology. These agencies comprise the International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment (HTA).
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Evolution of HTA in Australia


In Australia, the National Health Technology Advisory Panel (NHTAP) was established in the early 1980's. This Panel was replaced by the Australian Health Technology Assessment Committee (AHTAC) in 1986. AHTAC was replaced by the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) as part of the 1997/98 Budget initiative aimed at strengthening the evidence-base of the Medicare Benefits Schedule.
The role of the MSAC is to advise the Australian Minister for Health and Ageing on the strength of evidence relating to the safety, effectiveness and cost effectiveness of new medical technologies and procedures, and whether public funding should be supported.
The Australian Safety and Efficacy Register of New Interventional Procedures - Surgical (ASERNIP-S) was established to provide Horizon Scanning and/or Systematic Reviews of new and emerging surgical technologies and techniques. ASERNIP-S is funded by the Australian Government, and is a member of the International Network of Agencies for HTA (INAHTA).
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What is Horizon Scanning?


Horizon Scanning is a specialised and distinct activity conducted for a different purpose to standard HTA.
Horizon Scanning provides, short, rapidly completed, 'state of play' documents. These provide current information on technologies to alert planners and policy makers of the advent and potential impact in terms of safety and cost, before they are introduced into the health system.
This can then assist planners and policy makers to control and monitor the introduction of new health technologies. It will also assist in the prioritization and allocation of resources to ensure maximum utilization of resources at least cost.
The Purposes of Horizon Scanning/Early Warning Systems
Horizon Scanning can be used in a variety of ways including:
  • identify new technologies, which potentially have major implications for the health system.
  • assist in the control of technologies in the health system.
  • rationalize adoption and use of new technologies.
  • assess areas of technological change.
  • identify under-used technologies.
  • identify broader health problems.
  • long term planning, anticipate future needs.

In addition to new and emerging technologies, Horizon Scanning can also provide timely information about changes in the delivery and use of existing technologies.
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Sources of Information


Sources of information for identifying technologies include a wide variety of sources including ongoing consultation with a range of relevant stakeholders, and a system to constantly scan media outlets such as the Internet. For example:
  • Access to Horizon Scanning / Early Warning Systems in other Countries
  • Review of Industry literature (manufacturing and pharmaceutical).
  • Review of major and specialist medical and scientific journals
  • Animal studies.
  • Human Trials - devices or procedures first tested on humans.
  • Interest group profiles.
  • Experts and expert groups, including professional colleges - formal and informal networks
  • Conference papers
  • Newspapers and other media sources, including financial reports
  • The Internet
  • Licensing agencies e.g. TGA, FDA, MDA
  • Manufacturers
  • Review on health futures and technology forecasting (time span >10 years)
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Limitations of Horizon Scanning Briefs


Methodological issues and the relevance or currency of information provided over time are paramount in any assessment carried out in the early in life of technology.
Horizon Scanning forms an integral component of Health Technology Assessment. However it is a specialised and quite distinct activity conducted for an entirely different purpose, and which requires different methodologies to standard Health Technology Assessment. The rapid evolution of technological advances can in some cases overtake the speed at which trials or other reviews are conducted. In many cases, by the time the studies have been completed, the technology may have evolved to a higher level leaving the technology under investigation obsolete and replaced.
As a 'state of play' assessment, an Horizon Scanning Brief in the context of a rapidly evolving technology, can present a trade off between the value of early, uncertain information, versus the value of certain, but late information which may be of limited relevance to decision makers due to implementation of earlier decisions.
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Scope of the Horizon Scanning Unit


Health technologies that will be considered within the parameters of the Unit include devices, diagnostic tests and procedures, and other interventions.
While it is recognised that pharmaceuticals are of major importance in the health system, in the formative stage of the Unit's operation, pharmaceuticals will not be included in it's horizon scanning activities.
Horizon scanning for new and emerging surgical procedures will be undertaken by ASERNIP-S and published on this site at ASERNIP-S Publications.
The Horizon Scanning Briefs undertaken by the Unit provide an assessment of the current state of development of a specific health technology, its present and potential use in the Australian public health system, and the future implications for the use of the technology.
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