Implementing a sandbox approach in health technology assessment: Benefits and recommendations

Jamie Elvidge; Nick Crabb; Diana Delnoij; Saskia Knies; Douglas Lundin; François Houÿez; Juha Röning; Junfeng Wang; Li Jiu; Alastair Bennett; Yingying Zhang; Dalia Dawoud

doi:10.1017/S0266462324000412

Implementing a sandbox approach in health technology assessment: Benefits and recommendations

Jamie Elvidge^*, Nick Crabb, Diana Delnoij, Saskia Knies, Douglas Lundin, François Houÿez, Juha Röning, Junfeng Wang, Li Jiu, Alastair Bennett, Yingying Zhang, Dalia Dawoud

^*Corresponding author for this work

Centre for Health Economics

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Objectives The sandbox approach, developed in the financial technologies sector, creates an environment to collaboratively develop and test innovative new products, methods and regulatory approaches, separated from business as usual. It has been used in health care to encourage innovation in response to emerging challenges, but, until recently, has not been used in health technology assessment (HTA). This article summarizes our learnings from using the sandbox approach to address three challenges facing HTA organizations and to identify implications for the use of this approach in HTA. Methods We identified three challenging contemporary HTA-related topics to explore in a sandbox environment, away from the pressures and interests of live assessments. We convened a pool of 120 stakeholders and experts to participate in various sandbox activities and ultimately co-develop solutions to help HTA organizations respond to the identified challenges. Results Important general learnings about the potential benefits and implementation of a sandbox approach in HTA were identified. Consequently, we developed recommendations to guide its use, including how to implement an HTA sandbox in an effective way and the types of challenges for which it may be best suited. Conclusions For many HTA organizations, it is difficult to carefully consider emerging challenges and innovate their processes due to risks associated with decision errors and resource limitations. The sandbox approach could reduce these barriers. The potential benefits of addressing HTA challenges in a collaborative safe space are considerable.

Original language	English
Article number	e44
Number of pages	6
Journal	International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care
Volume	40
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1017/S0266462324000412
Publication status	Published - 4 Nov 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), 2024.

Keywords

health technology assessment
HTA
innovation
policy sandbox
sandbox

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10.1017/S0266462324000412Licence: CC BY

Implementing a sandbox approach in health technology assessment: benefits and recommendations
© The Author(s), 2024.
Final published version, 576 KBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

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abstract = "Objectives The sandbox approach, developed in the financial technologies sector, creates an environment to collaboratively develop and test innovative new products, methods and regulatory approaches, separated from business as usual. It has been used in health care to encourage innovation in response to emerging challenges, but, until recently, has not been used in health technology assessment (HTA). This article summarizes our learnings from using the sandbox approach to address three challenges facing HTA organizations and to identify implications for the use of this approach in HTA. Methods We identified three challenging contemporary HTA-related topics to explore in a sandbox environment, away from the pressures and interests of live assessments. We convened a pool of 120 stakeholders and experts to participate in various sandbox activities and ultimately co-develop solutions to help HTA organizations respond to the identified challenges. Results Important general learnings about the potential benefits and implementation of a sandbox approach in HTA were identified. Consequently, we developed recommendations to guide its use, including how to implement an HTA sandbox in an effective way and the types of challenges for which it may be best suited. Conclusions For many HTA organizations, it is difficult to carefully consider emerging challenges and innovate their processes due to risks associated with decision errors and resource limitations. The sandbox approach could reduce these barriers. The potential benefits of addressing HTA challenges in a collaborative safe space are considerable.",

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Implementing a sandbox approach in health technology assessment: Benefits and recommendations

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

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